Banana cultivation faces global challenges

The speakers highlighted the responsibility of European retailers: it is important to simplify the certification systems and introduce a fairer banana price policy. Pascal Liu, WBF’s chief economist, emphasized the dangers posed by climate impacts, which also exacerbate rapidly spreading diseases.

The biggest concern is a fungal infection called Fusarium Wilt TR4, which poses a serious threat to banana plantations. This disease has spread from Australia and Asia to Africa and South America and threatens the world’s favorite banana variety, the Cavendish.