Thursday, October 9News That Matters

Tag: Banana

Heat Threatens Latin America Banana Industry, Puts Global Supply at Risk

Heat Threatens Latin America Banana Industry, Puts Global Supply at Risk

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Environment, Fact Check
Climate Pressures Shrinking Banana-Growing Zones Rising global temperatures are pushing Latin America’s banana-producing regions toward unsuitability, with new research warning that by 2080, up to 60% of current export-suitable areas could be lost without urgent climate action. Brazil’s Farmers Struggle in the Heat In Brazil’s northeastern state of Bahia, banana farmers are already facing severe impacts. Even with irrigation, plantations are showing signs of stress during prolonged heatwaves. In 2023, extreme heat reduced harvest output by 15%, and similar conditions are likely to return this year. Major Exporters Under Threat The most vulnerable areas include Colombia and Costa Rica, key banana exporters to Europe and North America. These regions are experiencing rising te...
Banana Exports at Risk as Climate Change Threatens Key Growing Regions

Banana Exports at Risk as Climate Change Threatens Key Growing Regions

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Fact Check
A new study warns that rising temperatures caused by climate change could make banana farming uneconomical in many parts of Latin America and the Caribbean by 2080. The research published in Nature Food by the University of Exeter, highlights how climate shifts will shrink the best areas for banana cultivation while exposing more farm workers to extreme heat. Bananas valued at $11 billion annually, are a crucial export crop for many economies. However the study projects that 60% of current banana-producing regions will struggle to sustain production in the coming decades without urgent intervention. Socioeconomic factors such as labor availability and infrastructure also present major barriers to adapting banana farming to climate change. Since banana production is concentrated in dense...