The Dominican Republic is grappling with a crisis in its banana exports due to the invasive banana rust mite, Eriophyidae, first detected in the Caribbean in 2020. The President of the Dominican Association of Banana Producers (Adobanano), Hilario Pellegrini, reports that the mite's rapid spread in 2023, exacerbated by high temperatures, has led to severe quality issues. Struggling with existing debts from hurricanes and falling prices, farmers couldn't afford the necessary treatments, resulting in a decline in both fruit quality and productivity.
From July 2023 onwards, over-ripening became a prevalent issue, adversely affecting the international market's perception and prompting customers to seek alternative sources. Weekly shipments plummeted from an average of 450 in 2021 to 260, putting additional strain on already struggling farmer incomes. Despite once supplying over half of the world's organic bananas, the country has seen a significant decline in market share over the past five years, according to the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization.
Recognizing the severity of the situation, the government intervened, providing a grant exceeding US$2 million to facilitate the recovery of the banana sector. Part of this financial assistance will be allocated to purchasing inputs and fertilizers through the Northwest Regional Office of the Ministry, aiming to combat the mite infestation and support overall sector development. The grant seeks to mitigate the impact of the mite, enhance productivity, and restore the Dominican Republic's standing as a key player in the global organic banana market.
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Dominican Republic