NEWS | UPDATES

National Agriculture Day 

You help ensure that every one of the 5 million bananas consumed in this country each day is 100% local. Talk about Australian made.   

The ample supply and biosecurity risks make the Federal Government’s decision to consider importing bananas a hard one to stomach. On top of the many day-to-day challenges of farming, this assessment essentially puts a question mark over our future.   

Today, and every day, we stand with you. You’ll read more about our latest action on imports below.   

And we’re calling on all Australians to back you by supporting this cause and buying locally grown – pretty easy, really, when it comes to bananas. Our aim is to keep it that way.   

Banana Imports Fighting Fund 

From 1 January, the industry’s Banana Imports Committee will be accepting voluntary contributions to the Banana Imports Fighting Fund at 0.5 cents per kilogram. This will be open for one year, until 31 December 2026.   

Our position is clear: imports are unnecessary and pose an unacceptable risk to Australian growers.  

Your voluntary contribution will help us execute our science-backed argument, through lobbying, targeted research, communications and more. Already our efforts are paying off, with public support from several high-profile politicians, widespread media coverage and the inclusion of a banana farming expert as part of a technical team visit to the Philippines.   

DAFF in Carnarvon 

ABGC CEO Leanne Erakovic was also in attendance: “Once again, it was clear that industry is united in its concern – the risk is just far too great and, quite frankly, unnecessary,” she said.  “Thank you to the growers who took the time to attend the session and put their comments forward.” 

DAFF has posted notes from previous sessions in Queensland and New South Wales. They can be viewed here (scroll down to resources). 

Growers can also sign up to receive latest news from DAFF by emailing: [email protected]  

Key imports updates 

• DAFF has taken ABGC and grower feedback on board, and has agreed to include an expert on banana farming practices, as well as a tropical plant pathologist on the upcoming visit to the Philippines, pending logistics. 

• A planned technical visit to the Philippines later this year has been postponed due to severe weather resulting in a State of Emergency. It is now proposed for early 2026. The visit will be used to gather information on commercial production, pest management and export practices for Cavendish bananas. 

ABGC Members can read more, and receive the latest information on imports and other industry developments, in the Members’ Portal.  

ABGC Board Meeting and AGM 

From left to right: Andrew Serra (QLD – Finance Risk and Audit Committee, Chair), Gary Fattore (QLD), Stephen Lowe (QLD – Deputy Chair), Leon Collins (QLD – Chair), Doriana Managili (WA/NT – outgoing) and Stephen Spear (NSW). 

The board of the Australian Banana Growers’ Council held its November board meeting and AGM in Far North Queensland recently.  

The executive was re-elected for another term: 

• Leon Collins, Chair  
• Stephen Lowe, Deputy Chair  
• Andrew Serra, Finance Risk and Audit Committee, Chair 

WA/NT representative Doriana Mangili stepped down from her position, with Chris Collins elected to take her place.  

The Board extends a heartfelt thank you to Doriana for her contributions to ABGC and to industry more broadly, and looks forward to continuing to work with her in her role as Business Manager for Sweeter Banana Co-Operative.  

Chris Collins, a recent ABGC Award of Honour recipient, is a Carnarvon based grower with a long history of advocating for Western Australian growers. He’s the current chair of the Sweeter Banana Co-Operative and will no doubt bring a wealth of knowledge to the Board.  

Annual General Meeting

Thank you to the ABGC Members who joined Directors for the recent AGM and Christmas dinner. A special shout out to guest speakers Rachel Chambers, QLD Food Farmers’ Commissioner, and Paul Inderbitzin, Banana Imports Committee Chair, for their presentations. After an announcement at Banana Congress earlier this year, Barry Lowe was also officially acknowledged with Life Membership. 
Congratulations to NSW-based member Peter Spagnolo who took home (via the post) the lucky door prize – a massive Yeti! 

Banana Congress…it’s all on the table! 

In coming months, ABGC will begin the process of planning for our next industry event. While there are many things we know and love about Congress, the ABGC board has decided to put all options back on the table. We’ll be asking you what you want to keep, what you want to change, where you want to meet, how long you want it to go, if you want speakers, a field tour…or something completely different. Keep an eye out for your chance to put it all on the table – no idea too crazy! (But feel free to test us.) This is your industry event and it should deliver what you need to better your banana business.  

HortIQ banana insights 

Bananas remain the fruit Aussie households purchase most often, with 86% of households buying an average of 21.4kg over the year ending 7th September.  

Did you know? Non-major supermarkets and prepacked formats drove growth, while major supermarkets saw slight volume declines.

Keep your eyes peeled for disease 

Having a conversation with your staff about the importance of reporting anything unusual in your banana plants is just as important as it’s ever been. Banana freckle is just one disease that poses a significant threat to Australia’s banana industry. Click below for more information to help guide a conversation on banana freckle, including what you and your staff need to look out for. 

Chemical update 

As at 30 September, all uses of chlorpyrifos in bananas were cancelled. Find out more via ABGC’s website. 

Hort Innovation’s Virtual AGM – Friday 28 November  

Hort Innovation’s Annual General Meeting is happening virtually on Friday November 28, at 12:00pm AEDT.  

 Visit Hort Innovation’s website to:   

• Read the Notice of Meeting   
• Watch the AGM candidate spotlight video   
• Learn how to vote and have your say  

Members are encouraged to review the Annual Report 2024/25 ahead of the AGM. 

Upcoming webinars – Hort Innovation

• Join Hort Innovation’s Wendy Hubbard and Cori Hodge (Fiftyfive5) as they explore generational differences and uncover what they mean for Australia’s horticulture industry. Tuesday 24 November from 11am AEDT.

• The final session in Hort Innovation’s three-part webinar series exploring the Factors Driving Horticulture Productivity report is taking place next Wednesday 25 November from 11am AEDT. 

Disaster grants – reminders

• The NSW and Australian governments announced Natural Disaster Relief Grants of up to $25,000 to assist communities affected by the Tropical Cyclone Alfred Severe Weather event, which began on 3 March 2025. Closes 4 December 2025.

• Grants of up to $75,000 are available for affected producers following the North and Far North Tropical Low, 29 January – 28 February 2025, to hire or purchase equipment and materials, clean up, remove debris, replace fencing and other costs associated with the recovery process. Producers should take photographs of the direct damage to accompany their application/s. Closes 14 February 2026.