IT is the most traded fruit in the world that forms a multi-billion dollar industry, but a virulent disease is threatening the humble banana.
What is it?
Also known as ‘Panama Disease, ’Fusarium wilt’ is spreading around the world, devastating banana plantations. This particular strain of the virus is known as TR4 - Tropical Race 4 - which first came to light in Taiwan about 20 years ago, has spread across Asia to the Middle East and Africa and last year arrived in Latin America.
Scientists are fearful?
They describe it as the banana equivalent of Covid-19 due to the ferocity of the fungus that ravages banana plantations by attacking the roots and blocking the flow of water and nutrients.
It’s a crisis?
According to the UN, the disease is a “serious threat to banana production” because once it contaminates the soil, it can remain in the ground for 30 years.
As of yet, there is no remedy?
Just as with Covid-19, there is no remedy, with scientists recommending measures such as “plant quarantine” to hamper its spread.
Supply?
Growers in the Philippines said last month that shipments may drop by nearly 40% as lockdown and social distancing impacts output, at a time when sales are also up. The FAO (Food and Agriculature Organisation of the UN) said that "in view of the challenges associated with control of the disease and the risk posed to the global banana supply, it is evident that a concerted effort is required from industry, research institutions, government and international organisations to prevent spread of the disease.”
Bananas are big business?
The low calorie energy boost offered by the curvy yellow snack, which is rich in potassium, carbohydrate and vitamin B6, has helped to make it the world’s most globally exported fruit. There are more than 1,000 varieties, but the most commercialised is the Cavendish.
The Cavendish is British?
Bananas have been grown at the historic home of the Cavendish family, Chatsworth House in the Peak District since 1830, when head gardener Joseph Paxton got his hands on a specimen imported from Mauritius. It now accounts for 99% of global banana exports as it’s easier to ship because it doesn’t ripen too quickly.
The biggest exporter now is…?
Bananas are grown in more than 150 countries and 105 million tonnes of fruit are produced each year, but Ecuador is the biggest exporter, shifting $3.3 billion worth of bananas last year, followed by the Philippines at just under $2 billion and Colombia at $1.6 billion.
Ecuador?
Concern is growing in Ecuador as it shares a border with Columbia and TR4 was found there last year.
The banana has its roots in Asia?
It is thought to originate from the jungles of Indonesia or the Philippines around 8000 to 5000BC, with Arabian slave traders later said to have named it - the word banana is derived from the Arab for ‘finger’.
But it was in 327 BC that Alexander The Great and his army invaded India, discovered banana crop and introduced his discovery to the world.
What now?
The industry is now desperately exploring ways to tackle the disease and ensure a sustainable future.
Tackle it how?
Quarantine and containment is step one - stopping spread of the disease via infected soil particles on clothes or vehicles, for example. Meanwhile, research is ongoing to create new banana plants resistant to the disease and explore soil biodiversity, as research has shown some soils offer more protection.
Why are you making commenting on The Herald only available to subscribers?
It should have been a safe space for informed debate, somewhere for readers to discuss issues around the biggest stories of the day, but all too often the below the line comments on most websites have become bogged down by off-topic discussions and abuse.
heraldscotland.com is tackling this problem by allowing only subscribers to comment.
We are doing this to improve the experience for our loyal readers and we believe it will reduce the ability of trolls and troublemakers, who occasionally find their way onto our site, to abuse our journalists and readers. We also hope it will help the comments section fulfil its promise as a part of Scotland's conversation with itself.
We are lucky at The Herald. We are read by an informed, educated readership who can add their knowledge and insights to our stories.
That is invaluable.
We are making the subscriber-only change to support our valued readers, who tell us they don't want the site cluttered up with irrelevant comments, untruths and abuse.
In the past, the journalist’s job was to collect and distribute information to the audience. Technology means that readers can shape a discussion. We look forward to hearing from you on heraldscotland.com
Comments & Moderation
Readers’ comments: You are personally liable for the content of any comments you upload to this website, so please act responsibly. We do not pre-moderate or monitor readers’ comments appearing on our websites, but we do post-moderate in response to complaints we receive or otherwise when a potential problem comes to our attention. You can make a complaint by using the ‘report this post’ link . We may then apply our discretion under the user terms to amend or delete comments.
Post moderation is undertaken full-time 9am-6pm on weekdays, and on a part-time basis outwith those hours.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel