Bananas are probably the most important fruit crop in the world, and in 2015 Costa Rica grew and supplied one out of ten bananas consumed globally. The banana industry of Costa Rica provides at least 100,000 jobs for Ticos. Will climate change negatively impact Costa Rican banana cultivation?

A recent study conducted by the University of Exeter UK, indicates that ten countries (including Costa Rica), are predicted to see a significant decline in banana crop yields by 2050 if climate change continues at its expected rate. According to Dr. Bebber of University of Exeter, “We’re very concerned about the impact of diseases like Fusarium Wilt on bananas, but the impacts of climate change have been largely ignored. There will be winners and losers in coming years, and our study may stimulate vulnerable countries to prepare through investment in technologies like irrigation.”

The ten countries scientists predict will be most affected by climate change resulting in negative banana production include some of the largest banana producers such as India and Brazil, as well as Colombia, Costa Rica, Guatemala, Panama and the Philippines. Added Dr. Bebber, “It is imperative that we invest in preparing tropical agriculture for future climate change.”
Costa Rica’s banana industry has focused strongly on managing carbon and water footprints in its operations, a very forward-looking project supported by the Climate Change Unit of the Ministry of Environment and Energy (MINAE), and the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock (MAG). These efforts may be strong and soon enough to avoid Costa Rica suffering damage to its banana crops from climate change. That certainly is the hope of banana farmers and consumers alike.

Costa Rican farmers began growing banana plants in 1878, the first Central American country to do so. Once the Atlantic Railway was completed by 1890, bananas were off and running as a cash crop for Costa Rica, along with coffee and cocoa. The first banana export was 360 clusters sent to New York City. The US remains one of the world’s largest consumers of Costa Rican bananas, buying 44 percent of Costa’s banana exports in 2018.

Scientists have applauded Costa Rican banana farmers as a successful example of sustainable agriculture, because of their productivity levels and their healthy environmental programs. Banana lovers hope this trend continues for years to come.

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