Climate Change Threatens India’s Banana Export Ambitions

India, the world’s largest producer of bananas, is facing significant challenges in its export capacity due to the increasing impact of climate change. Changes in rainfall patterns, rising temperatures, and extreme weather events are affecting banana productivity and quality, threatening the country's position in the global fruit market.

India accounts for over 25% of the world's banana production. However, despite the scale of its production, India contributes less than 1% to global banana exports. The country exports bananas primarily to Iran, the United Arab Emirates, and other Middle Eastern countries. Climate change is emerging as a major barrier to increasing this export share.

Erratic weather conditions are causing unpredictable harvests. Sudden droughts, prolonged dry spells, and heavy unseasonal rains have led to lower yields and increased cases of fruit damage. Farmers are finding it difficult to plan sowing and harvesting due to this unpredictability. Moreover, diseases such as the Panama wilt and Sigatoka leaf spot, which thrive under such climate stress, are affecting banana plantations more frequently, leading to crop losses and increased production costs.

Rising input costs, especially those related to irrigation and fertilizers, are compounding the issue. Farmers are investing more in infrastructure to mitigate climate risks, but the returns are often uncertain. Furthermore, the fragmented nature of banana farming in India, dominated by small and marginal farmers, makes coordinated large-scale climate adaptation efforts difficult.

While efforts are underway to improve cold-chain infrastructure and encourage exports, the challenges posed by climate change make the banana trade less viable. Market competitiveness is also being affected. Countries like Ecuador and the Philippines, which have more advanced farming techniques and infrastructure, are better positioned to handle climate variability and maintain their export standards.

Government schemes such as the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) initiatives have been trying to promote banana exports by supporting infrastructure development, encouraging quality certification, and exploring new markets. However, the pace of climate change is outpacing these efforts, and without sustainable climate-resilient farming practices, India’s banana export ambitions remain at risk.

Conclusion:

The impact of climate change on banana farming in India is a serious concern. While the country leads in production, its export capacity is constrained by environmental challenges, disease outbreaks, and a lack of coordinated mitigation strategies. Unless robust measures are taken to improve climate resilience in agriculture and strengthen export infrastructure, India’s role in the global banana trade may weaken further.