The Philippines is poised to lose its position as one of the top three banana exporters in the world, with projections showing the country will fall to fourth place in 2024. According to a preliminary market review by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations, the Philippines is projected to ship only 2.28 million tons of bananas in 2024—a 3 percent decline from the 2.35 million tons exported in 2023.
The anticipated decline marks a significant shift in the global banana trade, as the Philippines is overtaken by Ecuador, Guatemala, and Colombia, likely dominating the banana export market. Ecuador is forecast to maintain its lead with 5.76 million tons, while Guatemala and Colombia will follow with 2.59 million tons and 2.31 million tons, respectively. Together, these countries will account for over half of global banana exports, while the Philippines’ share will shrink to just 11.9 percent.
The drop in banana exports comes at a time when the Philippines’ reputation as one of the world’s largest banana producers is under pressure. The country’s banana industry, particularly in Mindanao, is grappling with several challenges, including the devastating Panama disease, or the Fusarium wilt, which has wiped out significant portions of banana plantations. The Pilipino Banana Growers and Exporters Association (PBGEA) reports that only 51,000 hectares of the original 89,000 hectares of banana land in Mindanao remain operational, as many areas have been rendered unusable due to the disease.
Adding to the industry’s woes, geopolitical tensions in the West Philippine Sea have also contributed to logistical bottlenecks, further threatening the country’s ability to maintain its competitive edge in global markets. The combined effects of disease, environmental challenges like floods and droughts, and rising production costs are complicating efforts to sustain production.
Danilo Fausto, president of the Philippine Chamber of Agriculture and Food Inc., expressed concern that the nation’s banana shipments will continue to decline unless more investment is made in research and development. “The government needs to provide funding for research and development to find solutions to diseases, whether for crops or livestock, and intensify efforts to protect our food productivity,” Fausto emphasized.
As the Philippines slips down the global rankings, the future of its banana industry hangs in the balance, with experts calling for urgent measures to safeguard the country’s agricultural standing.
