Pick of the bunch

The future of bananas is at risk, but Kiwis can help turn things around.

Kiwis are bananas about bananas. e average New Zealander consumes roughly 18 kilograms of bananas per year, one of the highest per capita rates of consumption among OECD countries. Available on every continent, bananas are arguably the world’s most widely travelled tropical fruit. So it may come as a shock that the long-term viability of the industry is vulnerable due to a range of issues, including major crop pandemics, soil pollution and unethical trade practices. Pandemics have plagued the banana industry from the word go. For example, the commercial disappearance of the Gros Michel banana in the 1950s due to Panama disease (Fusarium wilt) – which causes bananas to wilt – destroyed the livelihoods of an entire generation of banana farmers around the world. Today we are seeing the emergence of a newer strain of this disease. is ongoing challenge for banana farmers highlights both the importance of income diversification and the need for an increase in varietals for decreased risk of crop loss. “ economic and environmental significance and urgency for a sustainable banana industry cannot be overstated,” says Molly Harriss Olson, CEO of Fairtrade Australia and New Zealand.

“Consumers can trust Fairtrade... for a steady supply of ethical, safe and delicious goods geared toward ensuring the health of people and the planet.”

“Extreme weather and climate change have meant that banana farms are more vulnerable to episodic crop losses and higher water use. And while suitable land area for banana production is expected to grow by 50% due to global warming, fungal diseases are also likely to get more aggressive.” Fairtrade bananas have been available in New Zealand for 10 years, most of which are grown in Ecuador by farming families who are members of the Fairtrade-certi ed El Guabo Association of Small Banana Producers (El Guabo). Harnessing some of their Fairtrade Premium funds to develop a Productivity Improvement Programme (PIP), the small-scale farmers in El Guabo look to best practice in agricultural science to implement systems designed to improve yield and soil biodiversity and increase resilience to serious crop-devastating pandemics such as Panama disease. With roughly two million Ecuadorians employed in banana value chains alone, an economically resilient and environmentally sustainable banana sector is a major priority for Fairtrade. “e spirit of innovation drives Fairtrade producers and forms the bedrock of the sustainable development approach they take,” says Molly. “ is value is passed along to consumers, who can trust Fairtrade and retailers of Fairtrade products for a steady supply of ethical, safe and delicious goods geared toward ensuring the health of people and the planet and ensure the sustainable supply of bananas into the future.” Fairtrade bananas have a far-reaching social footprint that has allowed the farming community in El Guabo to make their way out of poverty and to compete in the global market with a highquality product. e ongoing environmental challenges have meant that farmers within the Fairtrade system have needed to adapt at a rapid pace. However with the support of Kiwi banana-loving consumers, they have managed to keep pace in an extremely challenging market. “It’s so heartening to know that supporting such worthwhile transformation is something that we can all easily be part of. Vote with your dollar, know where your food comes from and understand the power and importance of your purchase,” concludes Molly. Look for the Fairtrade mark of empowerment. FAIRTRADE.ORG.NZ