Banana Industry Profile

Banana, with its many potential health benefits, is one of the most important fruit crops in the Philippines. The Philippine Banana Industry comprises farmers, cooperatives, traders, exporters, and manufacturers but is mainly dominated by large multinational companies. There are three major varieties produced in the country: 1. Cavendish, the primary variety (50% of the total banana production), generates 329,648 jobs in the country, providing P42.3B in annual wages; 2. Lakatan, a popularly known dessert, contributes 11% of the total banana production; and 3. Saba, a major cooking-type banana, comprises 29% of the total banana production. The Philippines is the 3rd largest producer of bananas globally, following India and China in 2014 (FAOStat, 2017). Based on data from the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), as of 2019, the Davao region is the top producer of bananas with 3.43M mt or 37.4% of the total banana production in 2019. Significant banana producers in the Philippines also include the regions of Northern Mindanao, SOCCSKSARGEN, and BARMM, with 21.4, 12.9, and 6.5 percent shares in 2019 production, respectively.  

Banana products are commonly exported fresh and processed like banana chips, one of the emerging export winners of the Philippines. The raw materials for banana chips production are based on two cultivars, namely Saba and Cardaba.

Problems in the Industry

The industry’s major problem is its susceptibility to major diseases such as banana bunchy top disease (BBTD), Sigatoka, and Fusarium wilt (FW), also known as Panama disease. Cavendish was threatened by Fusarium wilt (FW) tropical race 4, a disease caused by a soil-borne pathogen, Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. cubense (Foc). FW could thrive in the soil for years, causing banana plants to wilt and make the plantation unproductive. BBTD, on the other hand, is a major constraint and is considered the most destructive virus disease of bananas in the country. It severely affects the Lakatan variety, which is commonly grown by small-scale growers. The industry further faced a lack of supply, particularly in the banana chips industry, mainly due to traditional Saba taking several months (18-24 months) before it can be harvested.

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Banana Policies

Data Source: Philippine Statistics Authority update as of May 30, 2024.

ISP for Banana

PCAARRD ISP on banana aims to reduce the incidence of FW on Cavendish in Mindanao by 90-95% and the banana bunchy top virus (BBTV) in Lakatan from 70% to 20%. It also aims to develop a dwarf Saba which can be harvested earlier at 12-18 months compared with the traditional Saba at 18-24 months.

Strategic R&D

Strategic R&D is DOST-PCAARRD’s banner program comprising all R&D activities that are intended to generate outputs geared towards maximum economic and social benefits

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Technologies

Products, equipment, and protocols or process innovations developed to improve productivity, efficiency, quality, and profitability in the agriculture and aquatic industries, and to achieve sustainable utilization and management of natural resources

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Technology Transfer Initiatives

Technology Transfer  initatives ensure that the outputs of R&D and innovations are transformed into viable and applicable technologies that help intended users.

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Capacity Building

Capacity building efforts of DOST-PCAARRD seek to develop and enhance the R&D capabilities of researchers and academic or research institutions through graduate assistantships, non-degree trainings & development, and/or upgrading of research facilities.

Infrastructure Development
  • New Plant Pest Clinic and Diagnostic Center building

Manpower Development

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Policy Research & Advocacy

Analysis of policy concerns and advocacy of science-informed policies ensures that the AANR policy environment is conducive for S&T development and investments.

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