In 2023, the Canary Islands' banana industry reached a historic high, with island producers marketing a record 440,000 tons. However, this achievement is overshadowed by challenges, primarily competition from imported bananas. According to Asprocan, the Association of Organizations of Banana Producers of the Canary Islands, these imports compete under more favourable rules and act as a distribution brand, driving prices down.

Agricultural experts at the Royal Razat Farm in Salalah, under the auspices of Royal Court Affairs, have achieved a significant breakthrough in banana cultivation. They have successfully bred a new variety of banana, which originated from a spontaneous genetic mutation within a field of Williams variety bananas.

In week 12, banana selling prices in St. Petersburg ranged from USD 16.95 to 19.70 per box CIF, depending on the brand, quality, and type of packing. Prices were unstable across most regions of the Russian Federation due to weak demand and challenging sales. Local traders attributed the market turbulence to events in February, which saw the import prohibition for five Ecuadorean companies. This led to delays in phytosanitary control ,discharge at the St. Petersburg port and backlogs in delivery,the Ramadan period, fluctuating prices at origin in Ecuador, and the unusual import of larger volumes of bananas from countries like Egypt, China, and India contributed to the fall in selling prices. According to local traders, imports might be slow in the coming weeks until the market recovers. Approximately 1.73 million boxes were discharged in week 12, and nearly 3.2 million boxes are expected for week 13. Due to the huge volumes expected for the next week, the market is anticipated to weaken further. The exchange rate was 1 USD = 91.95 RUB.

The Colombian Agricultural Institute (I.C.A.) has enacted the National Plan for the Prevention, Surveillance, and Control of Foc TR4 across the entire national territory, per resolution 2081 of 2024. This initiative aims to shield and bolster Colombia's banana and plantain sector against Foc TR4, a substantial phytosanitary threat capable of causing plant death and jeopardizing the country's food security.

The viability of inexpensive supermarket bananas is at risk as climate change and increasing costs endanger banana farmers’ capacity to sustain their operations. Fairtrade advocates have cautioned that the present situation is untenable and cannot persist. Anna Pierides, the Fairtrade Foundation’s Senior Manager for Responsible Business in the Banana Sector, has called on the UK banana industry to lead the transition towards more sustainable supply chains.

The Department of Agriculture's regional office (DA-11) has allocated PHP14.4 million for rehabilitation projects to aid banana farmers in two provinces in the Davao Region, Davao del Norte, and Davao de Oro, affected by Fusarium wilt. The funding will be distributed through the respective provincial governments' Quick Response Fund. The project, "Kaagapay sa Malambuong Pagpanaging", or "a companion to prosperous banana farming," aims to rehabilitate at least 138.5 hectares of banana areas impacted by Fusarium wilt, benefiting 225 farmers in the two provinces.

On March 20, the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service's (APHIS) Plant Protection and Quarantine (PPQ) and the U.S.U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Customs and Border Protection (C.B.P.) updated regulations for fresh banana and plantain imports. This update will broaden the Risk-Based Sampling at Ports of Entry (RBS POE) program for these imports.

In February 2024, the Peruvian banana sector exported 15,500 tons, representing an increase of +11.2% compared to the same month of the previous year. However, this figure slightly decreased by 4% compared to January 2024. Peruvian banana exports were distributed to 14 different destinations.

President Gustavo Petro criticized the businesspeople of the banana sector in Antioquia, alleging that they had harmed the territory. He asked the businesspeople of the guild to support the subregion, arguing that they have used the water of the Urabá for decades, obtaining economic gains without giving any compensation.

Banana producers in the Tumbes Valley are petitioning the Regional Governor, Segismundo Cruces Ordinola, to implement the regional banana program. Celestino Marchán Sanjinez, president of the Technical Board of the Productive Chain, has sent a letter to Congressman Héctor Ventura requesting his intervention to comply with this legal norm of regional scope that would benefit banana producers and the regional economy.

In Tboli town, South Cotabato, disgruntled landowners who had leased their lands to the fruit-exporting company Sumifru Philippines Corporation cut down thousands of banana plants on Saturday, March 16. This incident, which affected 10 hectares of plantation, was the latest in a series of confrontations between Sumifru and the landowners. The landowners retaliated after Sumifru guards dismantled barricades set up to demand that the company fulfil its promise to pay the taxes for the leased properties.

Citigroup Inc. reduced its stake in Fresh Del Monte Produce by 41.0% during the third quarter, as reported in the company’s most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. After selling 17,238 shares during the quarter, the fund held 24,757 shares of the company’s stock. At the end of the most recent quarter, Citigroup Inc.’s holdings in Fresh Del Monte Produce were worth $640,000.

On 21 March 2024, Zespri’s first chartered shipment for the 2024 New Zealand kiwifruit season set sail from the Port of Tauranga, heading for Shanghai. The vessel, of Tokyo based company FFC named Kowhai, loaded approximately 700,000 trays, or around 2,500 tonnes, of Zespri SunGold Kiwifruit and 15 containers of Zespri RubyRed for customers in China.

The Panama Canal Authority (ACP) has announced an increase in the number of daily transit slots available in the older Panamax Locks. The measures come in response to the current and anticipated water levels of Gatun Lake and increased demand for transit slots.

Trader Joe’s has been known for selling its bananas at a mere 19 cents—until now. Over the past few years, while prices for many grocery products have soared, one essential item at Trader Joe’s has notably resisted inflation: bananas. These individual bananas, priced at just 19 cents, have gained popularity as one of the retailer’s most exceptional deals. However, in a significant shift, customers are about to face higher prices for these affordable fruits.