Fyffes sounds the alarm on the true cost of bananas
Add Fresh Fruit Portal to GoogleBananas remain one of the most affordable food products in supermarkets, but behind that affordability lies a supply chain facing unprecedented pressure.
As several actors in the banana supply chain have already done in recent years, grower and distributor Fyffes is now calling for greater collaboration across the sector to develop a long-term sustainable model that lets the industry keep investing in the category's future.
Image by Fyffes
The rapidly rising costs of producing bananas
Across producing countries, banana growers are facing rising costs for labor, fertilizers, crop protection, packaging, energy, and transportation. At the same time, climate-related disruption, plant disease pressure, and increasingly complex supply chains are making it more challenging and more expensive to maintain reliable production and consistent fruit quality.
"Costs have increased across virtually every part of the supply chain, from farm inputs and labor to logistics and transportation," said Frank Burkhardt, Chief Commercial Officer at Fyffes. "Yet bananas continue to be sold at prices that often do not reflect the reality of what it costs to grow and deliver them responsibly. For many years, the industry has absorbed those increases. That is no longer sustainable."
image by Fyffes
Bananas support hundreds of thousands of jobs across Latin America and other producing regions and remain one of the world's most popular and nutritious fruits. However, Fyffes believes the category's long-term future depends on creating an economically sustainable supply chain, alongside continued environmental and social progress.
The company warns that the industry cannot continue to absorb rising costs indefinitely while also investing in climate resilience, responsible farming practices, worker welfare, community development and supply chain improvements.
"If growers and producers cannot achieve sustainable returns, the long-term future of the category is put at risk," the executive said.
A communal effort to save bananas as we know it
For Fyffes, addressing the challenge requires closer cooperation across the value chain and a willingness to engage in a constructive discussion about pricing.
Image by Shutterstock
"If we want growers to continue investing in their farms, workers, and communities, and if we want consumers to continue enjoying reliable access to high-quality bananas, the value chain needs to recognize the real cost of producing and delivering the fruit," Burkhardt said.
Despite these pressures, Fyffes has continued to invest in supply resilience and category development. Its diversified sourcing strategy spans 10 origins worldwide, supported by an integrated logistics network and long-standing strategic partnerships that, according to the firm, help reduce exposure to localized disruption and support continuity of supply.
"Bananas have been available and affordable for so long that it is easy to underestimate the investment, expertise, and complexity required to bring them from farms to supermarket shelves," the executive concluded.
*All images courtesy of Fyffes unless stated otherwise.
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