MANILA: The Philippines reclaimed its status as the world’s second-largest banana exporter in 2025, as local production recovered after a disease spread and other factors, according to a global report.
The Philippines shipped three million metric tonnes (MT) of bananas in 2025, marking a 30-per cent improvement from a year ago, based on a report from the United Nations’ Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO).
The Philippines came second in global banana shipments, an improvement from its third-place ranking in 2025. The country last ranked second in 2022.
Among exporting countries, Ecuador topped the list with 6.5 million MT. Colombia ranked third with 2.6 million MT, followed by Guatemala with 2.3 million MT and Costa Rica with 2.2 million MT.
The FAO report noted that the Philippines, the key banana exporter in Asia, saw its domestic output recover from the damage caused by various factors, including the spread of banana Fusarium wilt (Tropical Race 4 or TR4) disease, also known as Panama disease.
Disease, ‘civil unrest’
According to FAO, TR4 is a deadly plant disease caused by the fungus called Fusarium oxysporum f. sp cubense. This soil-borne pathogen attacks the roots of the banana causing the disease by clogging its vascular system.
The fungus spreads through infected plant materials and contaminated soil particles attached to items, including farm tools, shoes, clothes, animals and vehicles.
“Industry sources reported that substantial investments had been made in boosting the production of bananas in … Cagayan Valley of the Philippines, including through the provision of fertiliser and other inputs by the Department of Agriculture (DA),” the report said.
The FAO report also cited “civil unrest’’ as another factor, but did not elaborate.
However, nonprofit organisation Borgen Project previously noted that Mindanao, which accounts for the majority of banana output, has been plagued by civil unrest and severe poverty.
Interventions
In November last year, the DA announced various interventions to help revitalise the Philippine banana sector affected by pests and market hurdles.
These include the distribution of 106,000 banana planting materials for farm expansion and rejuvenation, along with 120,000 units of organic fertiliser to improve soil health. It also deployed 215,000 biological control agents to protect plant health and reduce postharvest losses.
The country’s banana production slightly dropped to 8.6 million MT, data from the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) showed. Davao, Northern Mindanao and Soccsksargen emerged as leading banana producers.
Japan and China were among the leading importers of locally produced bananas. Japan alone sources about 75 to 80 per cent of its banana requirements from the Philippines.
The Philippines’ banana exports mirrored that of global banana shipments, which expanded by 10 per cent to 21.7 million MT in 2025. FAO said global banana trade “rose markedly, reaching a level that had not been seen over the previous five years.”
The report noted that export growth from Colombia and the Philippines, which posted double-digit growth rates in the past year, jointly contributed approximately 1.1 million MT in 2025.
Despite this improvement, FAO said global banana market outlook remains subject to considerable uncertainty.
Further disruptions
“Geopolitical tensions, which may disrupt established trade relationships, and rising protectionism could significantly affect domestic and global markets, as well as investment decisions and future market developments,” it said.
“With ongoing conflicts and wars weighing on the global economy, the risks of further disruptions to local and global supply chains, fertiliser markets, energy prices, transport routes and access to export markets heighten the uncertainty surrounding the outlook,” it added.
The report also said increasing living costs, higher interest rates and exchange rate fluctuations might affect demand in domestic and export markets, particularly for consumers in lower-income segments. - Philippine Daily Inquirer/ANN
