Australia has started an assessment of alternative measures for the importation of fresh Cavendish bananas from the Philippines. The move follows a formal request from the Philippines to reconsider the main pathogens identified in the 2008 import risk analysis.
The Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry said the assessment will examine three main pathogens of concern: Moko, black Sigatoka, and banana freckle. It will also review the 2008 analysis to confirm whether the earlier pest assessments remain valid and identify any new biosecurity risks. In addition, the process will consider access for cultivar GCTCV-218, also known as Formosana, and an additional export province, Davao de Oro.
The department emphasised that alternative measures would only be agreed to if they effectively manage biosecurity risks and achieve Australia's appropriate level of protection under the Biosecurity Act 2015.
The process will involve a technical visit to the Philippines to gather information on commercial production, pest management, and export practices. An issues paper will outline the details of the assessment and how stakeholders can engage. A draft report will then be published for consultation before a final report is issued.
If the assessment concludes that the biosecurity risks can be managed, further steps would include verifying the Philippines' capacity to meet requirements, developing import conditions, and publishing these in the Biosecurity Import Conditions system (BICON). The department said the process may take several years.
Australia has international obligations as a World Trade Organisation member to consider requests for market access where possible and ensure import conditions are scientifically justified and not more trade restrictive than necessary. Information sessions will be held from 17 September 2025 to outline the process and address stakeholder questions.
Australia's 2008 risk analysis identified seven pest groups of concern, with Moko, black Sigatoka, and banana freckle as primary risks. Several arthropod pests were also listed, including armoured scales, mealybugs, spider mites, and thrips. In 2009, a policy determination permitted imports from the Philippines under strict biosecurity conditions, though no trade has occurred since.
The Philippines produced 8.69 million tons of bananas in 2024, with Cavendish accounting for about half. The country exports year-round to markets including Japan, Korea, China, and the Middle East.
Australia produced 368,735 tons of bananas in 2023-24, valued at US$698 million, with 97% Cavendish. Production is concentrated in Queensland, particularly the Cassowary Coast, Atherton Tablelands, and Lakeland, with smaller volumes from New South Wales, Western Australia, and the Northern Territory. Australia does not currently import fresh bananas from any country, and exports remain minimal.
For more information:
Australian Government
Tel: +61 2 6272 3232
Email: [email protected]
www.agriculture.gov.au