Banana

Industry Strategic Science and Technology Program

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, the Cavendish, Lakatan, and Saba. Based on data from the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), the volume of banana production during the third quarter of 2025 was estimated at 2.31 million metric tons (MT). The Cavendish variety accounted for the largest share, contributing 1.09 million MT or 47.2 percent of the total banana production. The Davao Region emerged as the top banana-producing region, with 851.43 thousand MT or 36.8% of the total banana production. Other major banana-producing regions included Northern Mindanao and SOCCSKSARGEN, which accounted for 22.7 percent and 10.4 percent of total production, respectively, during the third quarter of 2025.

Challenges in the Industry

The industry’s problem is its susceptibility to its major diseases namely Fusarium wilt (FW) and banana bunchy top disease (BBTD). There has also been a growing incidence of diseases affecting banana such as Sigatoka disease, banana bract mosaic disease (BBRMD), and bugtok and moko disease caused by Ralstonia solanacearum.

The country’s main source of banana export, Cavendish, continues to be threatened by Fusarium wilt, a disease caused by a soil-borne pathogen, Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. cubense ‘Tropical Race 4’ (FocTR4). This soil-borne fungus can survive for years, even in the absence of plant hosts, and can easily spread through plant materials, field activities and machinery, and irrigation water among others. BBTD, on the other hand, is another major constraint and is considered the most destructive virus disease of bananas in the country.This systemic virus is mainly transmitted by the aphid, Pentalonia nigronervosa, an insect vector with a wide host range including affecting other members of the family Musaceae. Both of these pathogens can be found in most banana-growing areas in the Philippines, affecting both smallholders and plantation growers alike.

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.

Banana Policies

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

ISP for Banana

DOST-PCAARRD’s ISP for Banana targets to increase the average yield of ‘Lakatan’ and ‘Saba’; and reduce incidences of Fusarium wilt disease in ‘Cavendish’, banana bunchy top disease (BBTD) in ‘Lakatan’, banana bract mosaic disease (BBrMD) in ‘Saba’, and other arising pests and diseases.

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

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

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.

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

  • Rehabilitated plants affected by Typhoon Glenda after ten months

  • Renovation of tissue culture unit of NPGRL

  • National Repository, Multiplication and Dissemination Center (NRMDC)

  • Renovated screen house of NPGRL

  • Nursery establishment in Butuan

Manpower Development

  • Lecture on Disease Control and Management of Banana at IPB-CSC, CA, UP Los Baños

  • Lecture in Brgy. Capellan, Ilagan, Isabela on how to conduct the evaluation trials and the roles, duties, and responsibilities of each cooperator

  • Seminar in Brgy. Bicud, Lal-lo, Cagayan on how to conduct the evaluation trials and the roles, duties, and responsibilities of each cooperator

  • Cultural management, employed during the vegetative stage (UPLB).

  • Technology/variety promotion forum at NVSU

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.

  • Competitiveness of Philippine Cavendish Industry under the ASEAN Economic Community

    The study shows that banana production in the country is competitive under both export trade and import substitution scenarios. This implies that Philippine banana is competitive internationally and exporting it can help earn foreign exchange. The cost of producing these domestically is also much cheaper relative to imports. Results also show that the Philippine banana industry can still be competitive even if yield (52.62 mt/ha) goes down by 58 percent, or domestic and foreign cost rise by 210 and 426 percent, respectively. Sustaining this competitiveness would require continuous investment in banana R&D, especially that the industry is still facing major challenges.

    Reference(s):

    Lapiña, G. F. and Andal, E. T. (2017). ASEAN Economic Community: Opportunities and Challenges for the Crops Sector. Los Baños, Laguna, Philippines: Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development – (Project Report)