Climate change threatens future of global banana supply

Climate change could render nearly two-thirds of banana-growing areas in Latin America and the Caribbean unsuitable for cultivation by 2080, according to a new report by Christian Aid. The study highlights rising temperatures, erratic rainfall, extreme weather, and climate-related pests as key threats to banana production in countries such as Guatemala, Costa Rica, and Colombia.

Bananas are the world’s most consumed fruit and a vital food source for over 400 million people. About 80% of global banana exports come from Latin America and the Caribbean. The widely exported Cavendish variety, lacking genetic diversity, is especially vulnerable to climate stress and fungal diseases like black leaf fungus and fusarium tropical race 4.

Christian Aid is urging high-emission countries to reduce fossil fuel use and provide climate adaptation funding. The report warns that without urgent action, banana-dependent communities face growing threats to their food security and livelihoods.