SEATTLE, Washington — An infectious virus has been ravaging banana farms around the world for decades. It is called Tropical Race 4 (TR4) but is also commonly referred to as the “Panama Disease.” In the past 30 years, the disease spread to more than 20 countries. Similarly to COVID-19, the Panama Disease spreads through “stealth transmission,” meaning that it can be passed on before symptoms start to show. There is no cure for TR4, so the only measure that can be taken is to quarantine infected farms. However, this measure has done very little to slow the spread of the disease, making the idea of a “banana crisis” an approaching reality.
The Impact on the Banana Industry
The Panama Disease has devastating economic impacts on banana farm owners and workers. The Food and Agricultural Organization of the United Nations (FAO) labeled TR4 as one of “the most destructive of all plant diseases.” Once the disease has contaminated a farm, the only option is to leave the land and start over.
Just last year, TR4 arrived in South America, home to the world’s largest banana exporters. For example, Ecuador was responsible for one-third of banana exports last year, bringing more than $3.2 billion in revenue to the country. With the Panama Disease in the heartland of the banana industry, many working-class citizens in developing countries live in fear that the “banana pandemic” will put them out of a job.
The Additional Impact of COVID-19
COVID-19 has caused some logistical complications at banana farms. In South America, some of the largest banana exporters have also been hit particularly hard with COVID-19. Due to the widespread disease, banana farms have experienced staff shortages. Additionally, slowed rates of international shipping have limited the supply of temperature-controlled containers crucial for banana growth.
For the most part, the banana industry has done remarkably well in the face of COVID-19. Since bananas have a reputation for being a healthy food, the demand for the fruit has remained stable in most parts of the world amid the pandemic. Banana prices in the East have declined by an average of 9%. Prices have fallen most significantly in Russia, where bananas now cost 56% less than the average. However, in the Western world, banana prices have remained stable. Overall, economists have labeled the banana as “one of the winners of the crisis.”
While net banana sales have remained constant, the low margins of the industry have made it difficult for banana farmers to adapt to the complications COVID-19 and TR4 have brought to the industry.
The Future of the Banana Industry
When the Panama Disease first appeared in 1950, the banana industry quickly responded by shifting to producing a different type of banana crop. Agriculture specialists suggest that the banana industry make a similar shift in response to the current banana pandemic. Some scientists go further to suggest that the banana industry diversify their crop and begin selling a variety of bananas.
Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, the banana industry has proved to be a vital part of the global food supply. Moreover, in the past, the industry quickly adapted to the first outbreak of TR4, meaning there is great hope that bananas will survive COVID-19 and the global banana crisis.
—Mary Kate Langan
Photo: Flickr