WILLEMSTAD – Curaçao has immediately imposed a total ban on the import of all living banana plants from Venezuela as authorities move to prevent the introduction of the destructive Panama disease, also known as Tropical Race 4.
The import ban applies to both dessert bananas and cooking bananas. The Ministry of Health, Environment and Nature (GMN) said the measure is necessary because of the increasing risk that the fungal disease could reach Curaçao through trade and transportation links with Venezuela.
Venezuela recently declared a state of emergency after the aggressive soil fungus was detected in several regions of the country. The disease attacks the roots of banana plants, eventually causing them to die. There is currently no effective treatment available to eliminate the fungus once it infects a plantation.
According to the ministry, Curaçao faces a significant risk because of its close geographical proximity to Venezuela and the frequent movement of goods and people between the two countries.
If the fungus were to establish itself on the island, it would be extremely difficult to eradicate and could cause major damage to local agriculture and food security.
Tropical Race 4 is considered one of the greatest threats facing the global banana industry. The disease was first identified in Asia in the 1970s and later spread to Africa in 2013. In 2019, the fungus reached Latin America, a region responsible for approximately two-thirds of global banana exports.
The disease became known as Panama disease after it was first extensively documented in Panama, where it devastated plantations of the popular Gros Michel banana variety.
The widespread destruction of Gros Michel bananas nearly collapsed the international banana industry at the time. The sector survived by switching to the Cavendish variety, which was initially resistant to the fungus.
However, scientists have warned that Cavendish bananas are no longer considered fully protected against newer strains of the disease, including Tropical Race 4.
The Curaçao government is urging residents, farmers and importers to comply with the ban and avoid bringing living banana plants from Venezuela onto the island.
Authorities said prevention remains the most effective way to protect Curaçao's agricultural sector from a disease that could have long-term consequences for local food production.