Marketing and organic certification of banana production

Most banana production in sub-Saharan Africa is consumed domestically within production locations and urban areas. Some bananas are exported as fresh, dried or frozen pulp and here banana products of organic quality are demanded.

However, organic certification comes with costs. So it will only be rewarding, if the cultivars of banana being grown can be marketed with an organic surplus to the regular price that pays off for the certification costs. To reduce certification costs an individual farmer may join an existing collective certification scheme or work with other farmers in the form of a farmer group. This will minimise the certification cost per farmer as well as making it possible to mobilise enough volumes that may be required by the market.

General requirements on organic certification of banana production:

• During production of bananas, no use of synthetic pesticides including herbicides, and fertilizers or genetically modified planting materials is allowed. Any pesticide contamination from neighbouring conventional banana gardens through soil erosion or wind drift should also be avoided.
• During postharvest handling of bananas, use of fungicides in treatment of bananas to increase shelf life is not allowed.

Specific national or international organic standards may define additional requirements for production and postharvest handling of bananas. Farmers should therefore consult the national organic movement or organic certification body operating within the region or country.