Heavy rainfall and the spread of Black Sigatoka disease have severely affected Costa Rica’s banana industry, with exports falling by over 20 per cent compared to last year as climate change continues to challenge producers
Corbana, the National Banana Corporation of Costa Rica, has said that the effects of climate change in the Caribbean region have significantly impacted the country’s banana sector int he first half of the year.
Banana exports fell 20.67 per cent compared with the same period of 2024, Corbana outlined, with industry revenue hit as a result.
According to data provided by the meteorological monitoring platform Banaclima, a cumulative 1,500 millimetres of rain was recorded in just three months during the second half of 2024.
The corporation said that the prolonged rainy season during the opening months of the year favoured soil saturation and, consequently, the spread of diseases such as Black Sigatoka – one of the main threats to bananas as it reduces plantation productivity and profitability.
“We have experienced a cumulative effect of rainfall since the end of last year and the beginning of this year, which has caused a significant reduction in fruit production during the first half of 2025,” said Erick Bolaños, director of technical assistance at Corbana.
Bolaños also emphasised that adding to difficulties are specific weather events such as one that occurred on 14 August.
“It was a type of trough, winds with a lot of rain that affected the entire Caribbean region,” he said.
To mitigate the impact of these climatic phenomena on production, Corbana said it is providing producers with key technical assistance focused on strengthening phytosanitary measures.
“We provide comprehensive support to the banana sector, addressing the challenges of climate change with a focus on innovation, science, and technology,” confirmed Marcial Chaverri Rojas, general manager of Corbana.
”We are working to develop new varieties that are resistant and adaptable to tropical climates, while also providing assistance to producers to mitigate the impact of adverse conditions on their crops.”
In this regard, Bolaños emphasised that good agricultural practices can control the effects of pests and diseases on plantations.
“Both the Research Department and the Technical Assistance Department are responsible for making a series of recommendations aimed at managing Black Sigatoka disease, for which defoliation is very important, as well as removing diseased tissue to prevent reinfection,” he explained.
By the second half of 2025, the production deficit is expected to be reduced by 5 per cent, provided that climatic conditions are unfavourable for the disease.
However, Corbana said that projections for 2026 point to lower fruit availability compared to the average of previous years, which ”opens the possibility of adjustments to the product’s market value”.
