Banana supply chain faces weather and disease threats

The banana supply chain is facing significant threats due to a combination of environmental, biological, and economic pressures. Producers in Latin American countries, including Ecuador, Costa Rica, Guatemala, Colombia, Honduras, Peru, and Mexico, are struggling with extreme and unpredictable weather patterns.

The developing 2026 El Niño phenomenon is expected to persist through February 2027, potentially causing both excessive flooding and severe droughts across the region. Additionally, growers are battling serious plant diseases, specifically Black Sigatoka, which affects leaf production, and the soil-borne Fusarium Tropical Race 4 (TR4), which is capable of killing entire plants.

These challenges, alongside rising production and transportation costs, are placing immense pressure on the complex agricultural systems required to deliver affordable fruit to international markets.