Climate change and pests and diseases are having major impact on fruit quality, says Adobanano
Exports of organic banana exports from the Dominican Republic to Europe have dropped by 40 per cent in two years due to climate change and a higher incidence of pests and diseases.
The president and executive director of the Dominican Banana Association (Adobanano), Gil Blas Martínez and Martín Peña, said that shipments fell from US$323mn in 2022 to US$202mn last year.
They noted that the decrease is having a major impact on the country’s 30,000+ banana growers and their families, particularly in Valverde province, where 90 per cent of the total crop is grown, and Azua and Santiago.
Producers are having to contend with Black Sigatoka, as well as other pests and diseases attacking banana plantations, such as a mite that stains and accelerates the ripening of the fruit.
Adobanano noted that many of the containers shipped to Europe, where 90 per cent of the country’s exports end up, ripen en route because the mite accelerates the ripening process.
The plight of producers has been partially alleviated by a government scheme to include bananas in school breakfast last year.
