Shipments through August 2026 increase by grows by 24.6 per cent in value, despite registering a bigger fall in volume
Peruvian banana exports reached US$103.5mn between January and August 2026, an increase of 24.6 per cent compared to the same period of last year.
The figures were reported by the Regional Directorate of Agriculture of Piura (DRA Piura), who noted that, despite this growth, crop health faces a major challenge, with more than 1,000ha in the Chira Valley now confirmed to have been affected by Fusarium TR4.
According to the organisation’s executive director, Rubén Carrasco, the growth in shipments must be accompanied by measures to protect production areas. “Prevention and biosecurity are not merely supplementary measures; they are necessary conditions for maintaining the competitiveness of Peruvian bananas,” he stated.
This month, 152 banana producers in Piura are receiving technical support to implement biosecurity practices against Fusarium TR4, such as controlling access to plots, installing footbaths, and cleaning and disinfecting tools, footwear, and equipment.
Carrasco warned that the fungus can persist in the soil for long periods and spread via contaminated soil or plant material. Consequently, he recommended strengthening phytosanitary surveillance, avoiding the movement of plant material of unknown origin, and expanding training for producers and technical staff.
Despite the growth in the value of Peruvian exports, shipment volume was down on previous years. Between January and August 2026, Peru exported 116,766 tonnes of bananas – a 26.9 per cent decrease from the 159,645 tonnes recorded during the same period in 2018.
According to CultiVida, reducing the risk of further spread of TR4 and protecting the sustainability of Peru’s banana export sector are dependent on strengthening disease prevention and biosecurity measures.
