We do not grow bananas in the United States (save the odd local varieties you may find in Hawaii or Puerto Rico). During the four weeks between when a banana is picked to when it is purchased, it travels thousands of miles to get to US grocery stores. So how do they still cost less than apples that are grown locally?

There is no such thing as a cheap product. Somewhere, someone in the supply chain is paying for it—whether that is us, the end consumer, or the farmer, who may be forced by the market into unfair and unsustainable deals. There is always a cost. In the case of bananas, the costs of conventional (non-fair trade certified and non-organic) banana farming are many:

• Poverty
• Underpayment
• Health & safety risks
• Soil depletion
• Water shortages

Fairtrade banana brand partners

Look for the Fairtrade Mark to make your fave fruit a sweeter deal for people and planet.

Current challenges

With millions and millions of tons produced each year globally, bananas are big business. But there are major issues facing the industry.

Banana estates in some countries have been linked to human rights violations. This includes poverty-level wages that fail to cover the basics. Workers can be required to do 14-hour days, six days a week, without being paid overtime. Short-term contracts or daily hiring is becoming increasingly common.

Power imbalances. A small number of corporate fruit companies have a lot of influence over the international banana trade. Retailers also often offer large discounts on bananas, with competition for customers sometimes sending the consumer price below cost. This price pressure ultimately finds its way to banana growers.

Consequences for environmental and human health. Chemicals used to control pests and disease can not only impact the environment, for example contaminating water, but also the health of workers and their communities. 

Climate change and plant diseases threaten yields. Producers are battling challenges such as droughts, floods and hurricanes. Meanwhile, plant diseases are costly to manage, such as the fungal Tropical Race 4 (TR4) disease. 

“When a banana is spotless and of the best quality in a supermarket, it is the result of hard work from us, the farmers."

Roberto Gallo Castro, Banana farmer at APBOSMAM, Peru

How Fairtrade makes a difference

Bananas are grown on both small-scale farms as well as large estates. But a highly competitive market creates price pressure on bananas, ultimately putting the squeeze on banana growers. Here is how we support.

• Fairtrade banana producers are paid a Fairtrade Minimum Price. This acts as a safety net and helps them be resilient in the face of market drops. 
• The Fairtrade Premium – paid on top of the selling price – is for plantation workers and smallholder banana farmers to invest in business or community projects of their choice. This could include healthcare services, better housing or training. 
• The Fairtrade Standards work to improve employment conditions and protect worker rights on large estates.
• The Fairtrade Base Wage means higher wages for thousands of workers on banana plantations. The new Living Wage Differential enables businesses to contribute towards closing the living wage gap.
• Fairtrade supports smallholder farmers to improve their income and bargaining position in banana supply chains.
• Fairtrade contributes to reducing the environmental footprint of banana production by encouraging sustainable development through better agricultural practices link to climate/environment page

Fairtrade bananas are good for people, planet and business. Find out how your company can get involved.