TR4 disease, logistics issues prune banana exports last year

The Philippines is expected to have posted declines in banana exports last year due to the spread of the Banana Fusarium Wilt Tropical Race 4 (TR4) disease as well as logistical challenges, according to a report by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO).

-  CATHERINE TALAVERA

Based on preliminary results of its banana market review for 2023, the FAO said the country's banana exports are seen to have declined by around three percent to 2.206 million tons.

This will make the country the third largest exporter of bananas globally, falling behind Guatemala, which posted higher exports of 2.45 million tons in 2023.

Ecuador is seen to have remained the top exporter of bananas last year, exporting a total of 6.19 million tons of bananas, higher than the 5.8 million tons in the previous year.

However, the Philippines remained as the main exporter of bananas in the Asian region.

"The main exporter from the region continues to be the Philippines, which supplies some 60 percent of Asian banana shipments on average but has seen production severely affected by the spread of TR4 in the country," the FAO said.