Disease outbreaks, competitive pressures, and market requirements are compelling banana exporters to modify production methods, invest in technology, and enhance the quality of their cultivation areas to maintain export momentum.

In April 2026, large areas of the Cavendish banana plantation owned by Union Trading Investment JSC in Binh Long Ward, Dong Nai City, exhibited symptoms such as yellowing leaves, wilting, and reduced productivity. Technical surveys indicated that the banana plantations were affected by serious fungal diseases, including Fusarium wilt (Panama disease) and Phytophthora root rot. Additionally, the cultivation soil had become excessively acidic, and the soil microbiome had degraded due to prolonged intensive farming.

More alarmingly, technical assessments suggest that certain pathogens can persist in the soil for years and continue to spread through irrigation water and plant residues unless coordinated measures are taken.

Mr Lu Trong Kien, CEO of Union Trading Investment JSC, stated that the company currently exports bananas to various markets, including Japan, South Korea, Singapore, Malaysia, China, Kuwait, and several Middle Eastern countries. According to him, the primary challenges today are not only maintaining output but also ensuring consistent quality, controlling diseases, and meeting the increasingly strict requirements of import markets.

"In the past, companies focused on expanding cultivation areas and increasing yields. However, today, if growing areas fail to manage diseases and pesticide residues or maintain consistent quality, it becomes extremely challenging for companies to retain their export markets," Mr Kien remarked.

The situation at this banana farm illustrates the broader pressures confronted by the banana export sector. As import markets continue to impose stringent standards for quality, traceability, and sustainability, maintaining stable, disease-free growing areas has become a mandatory requirement for exporters.

According to data from the Vietnam Fruit and Vegetable Association (Vinafruit), Vietnam's banana exports reached USD 47.24 million in April 2026, up 0.6% from the previous month and by the same percentage from April 2025. The cumulative export turnover for the first four months of the year stood at USD 151.21 million. Bananas remain one of Vietnam's six key export fruit products.

Mr Dang Phuc Nguyen, Secretary General of Vinafruit, stated that the banana industry is entering a new phase of Competition in which technology and production standards will determine a company's ability to retain its export markets. "International consumers nowadays pay attention not only to prices but also to the sustainability of production processes and whether growing areas meet green standards," Mr Nguyen noted.

Amid the increasing pressures from disease outbreaks, rising production costs, and stricter requirements from import markets, the challenge for banana exporters has shifted from solely increasing output to enhancing production efficiency within the same land area.

Experts note that while past investment efforts primarily focused on expanding cultivation areas, the current trend emphasises soil health management, disease control, input optimisation, and quality enhancement through technological applications.

Mr Nguyen Huu Tri, Director of Tri Viet Agricultural Food Trading Production Co. Ltd., observed that many growing areas are currently experiencing soil degradation due to the overuse of chemical fertilisers and pesticides. 

"When soil health deteriorates, and the soil microbiome becomes imbalanced, crops become much more susceptible to diseases. Sustainable development requires restoring the farming ecosystem instead of relying excessively on chemicals," Mr Tri explained.

According to Mr Tri, many businesses have begun shifting toward biological farming solutions, precision nutrient management, and measures to improve soil and water quality to reduce chemical dependence while meeting the increasingly strict requirements of import markets.

Technology is also being integrated into various links of the value chain. Many companies are investing in automated irrigation systems, soil moisture monitoring sensors, growth stage-specific nutrient management, and post-harvest preservation technologies to extend transport times, reduce losses, and maintain product quality during export.

Mr Dang Phuc Nguyen emphasised that the banana industry is refocusing from increasing output to enhancing production efficiency per unit of land by applying technology and managing growing areas. 

"Leading banana-exporting countries worldwide invest heavily in production technologies, from breeding and disease management to post-harvest preservation. This is the path Vietnamese enterprises should pursue if they want to strengthen their competitiveness," Mr Nguyen stressed. He added that in the context of rising input costs and global market challenges, adopting innovative practices will be essential to maintaining growth and export success.