Unexpected rains benefit Colombia’s banana harvest

The Colombian banana industry is having a promising year, expecting a 5% increase in production compared to 2024. Unexpected rainfall in Urabá during the first quarter — originally forecast for April — turned out to be a positive twist, according to local media reports. Better soil studies and improved disease control, especially against sigatoka, also helped boost yields. Some farms have now surpassed 2,000 boxes per hectare, a key benchmark for the sector.

Local producers believe these gains are the result of strong agronomic efforts, which have also boosted the local economy by generating more jobs and income. However, this progress comes with higher operating costs, largely due to the use of eco-friendly inputs and increased efforts in disease management. The industry remains committed to maintaining sustainable, high-quality production in the second half of the year.

Still, labor shortages remain a concern, as younger workers aren’t entering the field, despite competitive wages. Meanwhile, rising tensions in the US trade relationship raise alarms, since nearly a quarter of Colombia’s banana exports go there. Shifting markets isn’t simple, and the sector urges fairer global trade rules to avoid disruption.

source: agronegocios.co

photo: bbc.com