Fyffes has been commended for its ongoing contribution to environmental sustainability at the prestigious FPC Fresh Awards gala ceremony held in London recently. The global banana and fruit producer was honoured with the ‘Ethical Sustainability Excellence’ 2025 award, on foot of what adjudicators termed ‘Fyffes respect for people, communities and planet’. “The organisation sets a shining example of how multi-national businesses can engage collective efforts to grow produce responsibly, and enrich people’s lives for a fairer, resilient future,” they added.

On September 24, the PremioeXpor 2025 awards ceremony was held, organized by the Ecuadorian Federation of Exporters (Fedexpor). During the gala, the excellence and innovation of exporting companies in bringing their products and services to international markets was recognized, as well as the development generated in the country through their social and environmental responsibility actions.

Pakistan's banana harvest has achieved a remarkable milestone, more than doubling over the past 15 years to reach a record 317,000 tonnes in the 2024-25 fiscal year, according to the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS). Official data from Wealth Pakistan reveals that banana production was only 139,000 tonnes in the 2010-11 fiscal year. However, steady growth—especially in the last five years—has made bananas Pakistan's fastest-growing crop.

Sri Lanka has launched a new state-of-the-art banana tissue culture laboratory in the North Central Province, with technical assistance from the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) under the South-South Cooperation (SSC) Programme with China. Located at the In-Service Training Institute of the North Central Provincial Agriculture Department in Maha Illuppallama, the facility aims to supply high-quality, tissue-cultured banana planting materials to farmers in the North Central, Northern, and Northwestern Provinces. Previously, farmers in these regions depended on supplies from the southern part of the country, which were both costly and prone to damage during transport.

Ecuadorian plantain exports are currently in crisis, experiencing a significant decline in international markets. From January to July 2025, the country exported 6.74 million boxes of fresh plantains, representing a 5.28% decrease compared to the same period in 2024. This decline has accelerated from a 2.82% drop in June. Recent data from Indexbox indicates that Ecuador is facing ongoing production and quality challenges, leading to a shift in rankings among exporters.

Ecuador has introduced an innovative solution to combat Black Sigatoka, a persistent challenge affecting one of its main export products: bananas. This disease significantly impacts the quality of the fruit and the profitability of producers. BASF, a company dedicated to agricultural innovation and sustainability, has developed a new solution that combines effective pest control with a lower environmental impact, marking a significant advancement in the responsible management of this vital crop.

Tapachula is currently experiencing a severe agricultural crisis due to a weevil plague that has devastated up to 30% of banana crops. Small producers in the lower area of the municipality are reporting significant damage to their plantations. Obed Peña Méndez, a representative of the producers from the Congregación Reforma ejido, emphasised that this issue not only threatens the production of one of the region's primary economic engines but also jeopardises the livelihoods of families dependent on banana farming.

In St. Petersburg, the prices for Ecuadorian bananas during week 37 ranged from USD 18.55 to USD 19.70 per box, CIF, depending on the brand, volume, and packaging, from Monday to Wednesday. Starting Wednesday, the price increased to approximately USD 19.70 per box, CIF, due to higher demand. During that week, around 1.475 million boxes of bananas were unloaded, and an estimated 1.72 million boxes are expected to arrive in the upcoming week. The exchange rate for the US dollar was 85.66 rubles. Prices for Ecuadorian bananas in the Mediterranean ranged from USD 17.00 to USD 18.00 per box on a CIF basis, depending on the volume, region, brand, and packaging. In comparison, bananas from Central America were valued at approximately USD 2.00 less per box. In the Mersin Free Zone, Ecuadorian bananas re-exported to neighbouring countries were priced between USD 17.00 and USD 20.00 per box, influenced by factors such as brand, volume, packaging, and weight. Central American bananas sold for USD 2.00 to USD 3.00 per box less than Ecuadorian bananas. The US dollar was valued at 41.37 against the Turkish lira.

Ecuador's Minister of Production, Foreign Trade, Investment, and Fisheries, Luis Jaramillo, announced on Wednesday that negotiations with the United States regarding the potential reduction or elimination of the 10% tariff on Ecuadorian products are progressing positively.

Peru has requested that China open its market to pomegranates and organic bananas during a historic visit by its Minister. Ángel Manero, Peru's Minister of Agrarian Development and Irrigation, formally appealed to the Chinese Government as part of his official meetings aimed at strengthening agricultural cooperation, modernising water management, and promoting Peruvian products in the Chinese market.

In response to the spread of tropical Fusarium race 4 (TR4), one of the most destructive diseases affecting banana cultivation, the Peruvian Ministry of Agrarian Development and Irrigation (Midagri), through the National Institute of Agrarian Innovation (INIA), has established two research plots in the Santa Sofía (Marcavelica) and Chacaltana (Querecotillo) sectors of the Piura region.

Banana producers in El Oro who meet specific criteria can apply to join the Negotiation Table for setting the 2026 Minimum Support Price (PMS), according to MAG. Applications are due by July 31. Minister Danilo Palacios Márquez stated this aligns with the law promoting and regulating banana and plantain production for export, specifically Articles 1, 3–6.

In week 30, the price of bananas in St. Petersburg ranged from USD 14.20 to 15.50 per box (CIF), depending on the brand, volume, and packaging. Prices decreased due to weak demand and low consumption, influenced by high temperatures and the availability of large quantities of local summer fruits at competitive prices. Approximately 1.33 million boxes were discharged, with an estimated 1.075 million boxes expected for week 31. The exchange rate was 78.86 RUB for 1 USD. In the Mediterranean, prices for Ecuadorian bananas ranged from USD 16.00 to USD 18.00 per box (CIF), depending on factors such as brand, volume, packaging, and region. In contrast, Central American bananas were sold at approximately USD 14.00 per box on a CIF (Cost, Insurance, and Freight) basis. In the Mersin Free Zone, the primary prices for Ecuadorian bananas, which are re-exported to neighbouring countries, ranged from USD 19.00 to USD 20.00 per box. These prices were influenced by brand, volume, packaging, and weight. Despite around 750 containers arriving, sales proceeded smoothly due to high demand.

In the first half of the year, Paraguay reported banana exports totalling $15 million. This has led to optimistic forecasts predicting that total exports could reach $35 million by the end of 2025, according to Francisco Paniagua, a technical specialist at the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock (MAG). He noted that producers are benefiting from the Zero Hunger Program implemented in schools, which has boosted sales.

Investment in logistics has turned this area into a key hub for international agricultural trade, where companies like Banacol succeed. The Urabá region in Antioquia leads Colombia's banana production, supplying 65% of exports to Europe, the US, and Asia, according to the Association of Banana Growers of Colombia (Augura). Beyond its economic role, this Region exemplifies how private companies, local communities, and institutions can collaborate for sustained and inclusive development.