Fresh Del Monte CEO Warns of Banana Crop Crisis
Fresh Del Monte's CEO, Mohammad Abu-Ghazaleh, has sounded the alarm over the threat of Fusarium Tropical Race 4 (TR4) and Black Sigatoka to the global banana crop.
“It’s a losing battle”
Abu-Ghazaleh warned that the disease could lead to a shortage of bananas, causing prices to rise:
“There will come a time that people realize that there are not enough bananas, and prices will shoot up”
The Cavendish banana, which dominates international markets, is under threat from the same fungal disease that wiped out the Gros Michel banana in the 1950s.
- Fusarium Tropical Race 4 (TR4) and Black Sigatoka are affecting key banana growing regions.
- Fresh Del Monte grows bananas in Costa Rica, Guatemala, and the Philippines, and purchases from growers worldwide.
Abu-Ghazaleh emphasized the severity of the issue, not just for Fresh Del Monte, but for the entire industry:
“[People] really don’t understand how serious this issue is”
Author's summary: Fresh Del Monte CEO warns of banana crop crisis due to disease.
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