Protecting Australia’s Banana Industry

The Federal Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF) has today announced a review of quarantine arrangements following a formal request from the Philippines to consider alternate measures to allow fresh banana imports into Australia.

The Australian Banana Growers’ Council (ABGC) has strongly opposed this proposal. Imports are unnecessary and would create unacceptable risks for our industry.

The requested review centres on two main pathogens (crop diseases) of concern that are present in the Philippines and not in Australia – Moko and Black Sigatoka.

What does this mean for our industry and what is our response?

• There will be a period of uncertainty whilst this review takes place. We understand that this will be concerning for our industry.
• Our position is that we do not need to import any bananas and the biosecurity risk of doing so is simply too great.
• Our role as the peak industry body is engage with the federal government throughout the process, which includes;
  • Liaising directly with government and biosecurity experts on all aspects of the risk
  • Making sure the risks are fully understood and considered in the review
  • Advocating strongly to protect growers, industry, families and communities, as well as consumer confidence in Australian bananas.

As we liaise with the federal government, our focus is steadfast;

Australia does not need banana imports

Australian growers produce more than enough high-quality fruit to supply the entire domestic market, year-round.

Imports create unacceptable risks

Allowing bananas from overseas opens the door to exotic diseases that could devastate farms, families, and regional communities.

Our industry is a national powerhouse

The banana industry is worth $1.3 billion annually, supporting more than 540 growers and 18,000 jobs, and underpinning the nation’s food bowl.

Australia is disease-free

Unlike most countries, we remain free from many of the world’s most devastating banana diseases. This is a unique advantage we must protect.

Almost safe is not safe enough

There is no quarantine measure that reduces risk to zero. Once pests or diseases arrive, they are almost impossible to eradicate.

What is involved in the review process?

• We’ve been advised the federal government will hold information meetings with banana growers in October in Northern Queensland and Northern New South Wales. More information will be made available by the federal department shortly as to locations and dates.
• We are advised by DAFF that the next steps in the review process involve a technical, science-based assessment visit to the Philippines to assess conditions on the ground. This is scheduled to take place later this year.
• The outcomes of that visit will be provided back to government, not industry, and  measure the biosecurity risks associated with any importation of bananas from the Philippines to achieve Australia’s appropriate level of protection.
• Following the technical visit report, we are advised the next step is the release of an issues paper to industry in the first half of 2026.
• The federal government will use the issues paper to consult with industry and allow industry to have input into this process sometime during 2026.

We will keep you informed as the review process unfolds. Please be assured that ABGC is doing everything in our power to ensure this proposed request does not proceed. We will continue to keep you informed as the review by DAFF progresses and further information becomes available.

Together, we will keep bananas local.

For any questions, please contact us at [email protected]