No Imports | Australian Banana Growers

Bananas are the backbone

The potential importation of bananas from the Philippines was discussed during recent Senate Estimates hearings, with biosecurity risks and the future of Australia’s banana industry remaining key concerns. Questioning to Government officials were posed by Senator for Queensland Susan McDonald. Representatives from the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry…

LEADING THE NO IMPORTS CHARGE: Paul Inderbitzen

The Banana Imports Committee has been casting a watchful eye over the imports space for more than twenty years, having formed prior to the early 2000s campaign. It’s currently led by Lakeland grower Paul Inderbitzin. Part of a multi-generational farming family, Paul has demonstrated a…

Philippines visit must go beyond ‘best case’ farms

Australian banana growers are urging the Federal Government’s technical team to look beyond carefully managed farm visits, with an expected trip to the Philippines late this month. The visit is part of the current import risk analysis (IRA) assessing whether fresh Cavendish bananas from the Philippines…

Banana industry imports update

DAFF confirms timing for technical visit The Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry’s technical visit to the Philippines has now been confirmed for late March 2026. This is still subject to change pending any unforeseen circumstances. The technical visit was initially scheduled for late 2025, but…

Banana industry mobilises as import risk assessment continues

Australia’s banana growers are putting their money where their mouth is in 2026, signing up to make voluntary contributions to the Banana Imports Fighting Fund (BIFF) as the industry continues its biosecurity battle. The Federal Government is currently conducting an import risk assessment following a…

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…