Heavy rains and disease cut Costa Rica’s banana exports by 21% in the first half of 2025

Unusual weather and plant disease have sharply reduced banana production in Costa Rica. In the first half of 2025, exports fell 20.7% compared to the same period last year, according to the country’s banana sector data.

The problems began with months of heavy rain between late 2024 and early 2025. Fields in the Caribbean region, where most plantations are located, became waterlogged, making it harder to maintain healthy crops. The wet conditions also fuelled Black Sigatoka, a fungal disease that damages banana leaves and cuts yields.

By mid-August, storms added more wind and rain, worsening the damage. In total, over 1,500 millimetres of rain were recorded in just three months, a level that left lasting effects on fruit production.

Costa Rica, the world’s third-largest banana exporter, shipped 125.5 million boxes in 2024, but this year’s slump is reducing incomes for farmers and affecting jobs in rural areas. The decline could also influence supply to Europe, the U.S., and other international markets.

Looking ahead, industry officials expect some recovery in the second half of 2025 if weather conditions improve, but availability in 2026 is still projected to be lower than normal. Experts warn that climate change could make large areas of Latin America less suitable for bananas in the coming decades, with Costa Rica among the most vulnerable producers.

For now, farmers are trying to adapt by improving drainage systems and using more resistant plants, but ongoing climate shifts mean the pressure on the sector is far from over.

source: ticotimes.net

photo: istockphoto.com