Going bananas
Bananas are the world’s most popular fruit – and the fourth most important food crop globally. But now the communities who grow them are facing a growing threat from the climate crisis.
Our new report, Going Bananas, explores how rising temperatures, extreme weather and disease are putting bananas – and the people who rely on them – at risk.
Why bananas matter
Bananas are a vital source of food and income for millions of people. Over 400 million people rely on them for up to 27% of their daily calories and they’re a key export crop for countries in Latin America and the Caribbean, who supply 80% of the world’s bananas.
'Climate change has been killing our crops. This means there is no income because we cannot sell anything.'
— Aurelia, banana farmer, Guatemala
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The key findings
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60%
of the best banana-growing areas could be lost by 2080.
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400m
people rely on bananas for 15–27% of their daily calories.
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80%
of global banana exports come from Latin America and the Caribbean.
Banana farmers who did the least to cause the climate crisis are paying the highest price. Climate finance must reach them now.
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What you can do
You can help banana growers around the world by:
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Choosing Fairtrade bananas, which support better prices and conditions for farmers
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Looking for organic bananas, which reduce harmful fertiliser use
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Raising your voice, by calling for urgent climate action from governments
'Without fair prices, banana farmers simply cannot make ends meet.'
— Anna Pierides, Fairtrade Foundation
