S21 - Session O1 - Keynote: The world of organic banana: a review of production, markets, sustainability and current and future trends

Authors: Carolina Dawson *, Hans Willem Van der Waal *

Fuelled by the growth of the organic food sector, organic banana consumption has soared over the past decade in its main consumption markets, the USA and the EU. In a first step, an inventory of the world production of organic export bananas was carried out, by producing country, using national statistical data and interviews with key experts of the sector when data was unavailable. The survey shows that the growth of organic banana production and export continues and is being fuelled by the promise of better income for producers in response to a conventional sector under great economic pressure. Secondly, we studied the dynamics of the main import and consumer markets, the USA and the EU, based on statistical data and interviews with key experts of the sector. Although these markets have posted double-digit growth over the past ten years, there are a few red flags in terms of consumption that need to be taken in consideration, particularly in the EU. Simultaneously, emerging consumer trends that were reinforced by the covid-19 pandemic, such as locavorism or environmental concerns are taking root. As a part of the EU Green Deal, new organic legislation was introduced to in the EU to reinforce consumer trust in organic products. However, how can small farmers keep up with compliance and productivity requirements facing this changing context? Can “organic-plus” certifications, such as Demeter, be niches offering room for more diversification and growth? Most organic bananas grow outside their natural habitat in dry areas with high water footprint. Can agroforestry profitably produce organic bananas in the humid tropics despite disease pressure? Do farmers have sufficient tools to deal with diseases and pests organically? What does that mean for the research agenda? Those are questions that are pertinent for further development of the organic banana.