Banana Feature | Australian Banana Growers

Inside the DAFF Review

Australia’s banana growers are facing one of the most significant biosecurity challenges in decades. DAFF’s current review of quarantine arrangements—triggered by renewed pressure from the Philippines to permit banana imports—has the potential to reshape the future of the industry. The Australian Banana Growers’ Council (ABGC)…

ABGC launches coordinated fight against import threat

Australia’s banana industry has spent decades building a world-class, reliable domestic supply, backed by robust biosecurity. So when the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF) announced its long-anticipated review of market access for Philippine banana imports at the request of the Philippines Government, the…

Using drones and data to monitor fertiliser uptake

For the first time in Australia, drone images have been used to delineate fertiliser rate differences in banana plantations. Marcus Bulstrode, from the Advanced Coastal Farming Systems team (QLD DPI). Marcus Bulstrode, from the Advanced Coastal Farming Systems (ACFS) team, within the Natural Capital and…

Need Workers for Your Banana Farm? Here’s What You Need to Know

Finding good workers can be hard. Whether you need help for harvest, packing, or year-round jobs, there are a few programs that can help banana growers like you. These are backed by the Australian Government and can make a big difference in keeping your farm…

Countdown to chlorpyrifos withdrawal

Tegan Cavallaro and Ingrid Jenkins – Queensland DPI | Dr Rosie Godwin – ABGC Time is ticking on the use of chlorpyrifos in the banana industry. Last year the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA) released their regulatory decision to cancel all uses of…

Reliable roads essential for future of FNQ banana industry

The chair of the Australian Banana Growers’ Council has called for urgent action to improve infrastructure connecting Far North Queensland to the south. “Weather resilient road corridors are crucial not only for those of us who live and work in the Far North, but also…

Crunching the numbers for a resilient farming future

For Caleb Connolly, working as an agricultural economist is about more than just numbers — it’s about supporting farmers to build resilient, profitable, and sustainable businesses. As part of the Department of Primary Industries (DPI), he’s helping banana growers in North Queensland make more informed…