Protecting Australia’s Banana Industry

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

The Australian Banana Growers’ Council (ABGC) strongly opposes this proposal. Imports are unnecessary and pose unacceptable risks to our growers, our industry, and our communities.

Latest News

13-16 October: DAFF hosts imports information sessions

Over one hundred Australian banana growers, as well as councillors, MPs and supply chain representatives, attended information sessions run by the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry last week (DAFF).

The sessions, so far held in Far North Queensland and Northern New South Wales, provided a chance for industry to speak directly to DAFF representatives.

The Australian Banana Growers’ Council (ABGC) is continuing its efforts to ensure that all Australian banana growers have a united voice in the ongoing review of banana imports from the Philippines.

Our position has remained steadfast as these sessions transpired:

Australia produces enough high-quality bananas year round to meet domestic demand.
We strongly oppose banana imports from the Philippines – they are unnecessary and present unacceptable biosecurity risks.
Imports open the door to exotic crop diseases that are not presently in Australia. Such diseases would devastate our industry and we must safeguard our biosecurity standards to maintain this disease-free status.
‘Almost safe’ is not safe enough; no quarantine system can reduce the risk to zero.

DAFF’s consultation sessions

Image: Growers at the session in Coffs Harbour, with representatives from ABGC.

As part of our commitment to representing growers’ interests, the ABGC has attended every session and engaged directly with DAFF to ensure that your concerns are heard. We would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to those who took the time to attend and voice their concerns. Your input is invaluable to our advocacy efforts. Additionally, we are grateful to those who have reached out directly to ABGC with support, comments, and information, which will help guide our work and ensure accurate industry representation.

The feedback gathered will be used to advocate for the industry at the highest levels of government.

Comments made by growers included:

The need for a person with banana production experience to be part of the technical visit to the Philippines (see video above)
The reality of uncertainty – impacts on industry investment, finance, mental health and more.

ABGC’s advocacy

ABGC has taken the feedback from these sessions directly to the Federal Agriculture Minister, the Hon. Julie Collins. ABGC will ensure that the voice of members are front and centre throughout the review process.

“Our primary focus is ensuring the protection of the Australian banana industry and maintaining the integrity of our biosecurity system. We will continue to advocate strongly for our members,” said ABGC CEO Leanne Erakovic.

Ensuring regional representation

In response to feedback from our WA members, ABGC requested that DAFF hold a dedicated session in Western Australia in November. This session will be a critical opportunity for WA-based growers to engage directly with DAFF and share their concerns. ABGC CEO Leanne Erakovic is particularly looking forward to meeting with WA growers and ensuring their voices are fully represented.

“We advocated for a session in WA to ensure that growers from every region, including Western Australia, have the opportunity to participate in this important consultation process. I strongly encourage all WA growers to attend and share their thoughts,” said Ms Erakovic.

Next steps

ABGC will continue to closely monitor the review process to ensure the best outcome for Australian banana growers. We will keep members updated on key developments and encourage all growers to stay engaged and share their thoughts with us.

If you have any further feedback or questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out.

Members: [email protected]
All other growers and industry stakeholders: [email protected]

ABGC Members

Members are critical to ABGC’s role in giving industry a strong national voice. If you are a grower and not yet an ABGC member or unsure if y ou have had membership, please contact [email protected]. You can find out more here.

The latest update for members, including detail around advocacy and additional information, is available in the Members’ Portal.

Past events

8 October: National Banana Day. Read ABGC’s media release

24 September: ABGC industry meeting. Read the factsheets provided here

16 September: Federal Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry makes the announcement. Read ABGC’s media release

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DAFF INFO SESSIONS

DAFF invites you to join their in-person and virtual information sessions on the assessment of alternative measures for fresh Cavendish bananas from the Philippines.

At these sessions, we will explain the assessment process, how we will engage with you and answer any of your questions.

WHEN & WHERE:

Webinars:

Thursday 23 October, 3:00pm – 3:30pm AEDT, MS Teams Live Event

In-person information sessions:

(Completed) Monday 13 October, 3:00pm to 4:30pm AEST, Brothers Leagues Club – Shamrock Room, Innisfail, Qld
(Completed) Tuesday 14 October, 1:00pm to 2:30pm AEST, Mareeba Leagues Club – Function Room, Mareeba, Qld
(Completed) Wednesday 15 October, 4:00pm to 6:30pm AEDT, Murwillumbah Services Club – Function Room, Murwillumbah, NSW
(Completed) Thursday 16 October, 2:30 – 4:00pm AEDT, Park Beach Bowls Club – Function Room, Coffs Harbour, NSW
November – Carnarvon, Western Australia

Note:

Each session will cover the same content.
For the webinars, the link to the MS Teams Live Event will be included in your confirmation email.

From the Federal Government’s website:

DAFF are conducting an assessment of alternative measures for the importation of fresh Cavendish bananas from the Philippines for human consumption.

This is in response to the Philippines’ formal request for Australia to consider alternative measures to manage the main pathogens of concern identified in the 2008 import risk analysis for bananas from the Philippines.

The assessment will involve:

a comprehensive scientific assessment for the 3 main pathogens of concern (Moko, black Sigatoka and banana freckle) and consideration of risk management measures alternative to those proposed in the 2008 import risk analysis
a review of the 2008 import risk analysis to ensure the assessments of other pests are still appropriate and determine whether any new biosecurity risks have emerged since 2008
consideration of the Philippines’ request for access for an additional cultivar ‘GCTCV-218’ (also known as ‘Formosana’), and an additional export province, Davao de Oro in the Davao Region or Region 11, that were not assessed in the 2008 import risk analysis.

Why This Matters

The review focuses on two serious banana diseases present in the Philippines — Moko and Black Sigatoka — which are not found in Australia. Allowing imports would open the door to these threats.

Our Position

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’s Next in the Review Process

Grower information meetings: DAFF will hold sessions in October in Northern Queensland and Northern NSW, followed by WA in November.
On-ground assessment: Later this year, officials will conduct a technical, science-based visit to the Philippines.
Issues paper: Expected in the first half of 2026.

Our Role

As the peak body for Australia’s banana industry, the Australian Banana Growers’ Council (ABGC) is leading a strong, coordinated response to this review. Our role is to ensure federal government decision-makers fully understand the risks and consequences of banana imports.

Here’s how we are working on your behalf:

Direct engagement with government
We are liaising with the Federal Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF), providing clear, evidence-based arguments against imports.
Expert biosecurity input
ABGC is working with plant health specialists, scientists, and technical experts to highlight the very real threats posed by exotic diseases like Moko and Black Sigatoka.
Protecting growers and communities
Our advocacy is focused on safeguarding the livelihoods of more than 540 growers and their families and employees, as well as the regional towns and economies that rely on banana production.
National food security
Australian bananas are available year-round, without the need for imports. ABGC is making sure policymakers understand that introducing risk to this secure supply chain is unnecessary and irresponsible.
Raising awareness
We are ensuring that consumers, media, and community stakeholders understand what is at stake — that Australia’s unique disease-free status must be protected at all costs.
Ensuring industry input
As the review process unfolds, ABGC will keep growers informed, gather feedback, and make sure industry voices are represented at every stage of consultation.

Our mission is clear: to protect Australia’s banana industry, safeguard regional livelihoods, and preserve the trust consumers have in Australian bananas.

Stay Informed

ABGC will keep the industry updated as the review progresses. We are committed to doing everything possible to ensure this proposal does not proceed. ABGC Members will receive the latest information first. Visit the membership page or contact [email protected] to find out more.