Join us for the upcoming World Banana Forum webinar on Increasing Genetic Diversity in Banana Producing Systems

Tuesday 02 June 2026, 14:00 - 16:00 CEST.

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Banana production and trade are globally dominated by a narrow range of cultivars, with Cavendish accounting for the vast majority of bananas in international markets. While this uniformity has supported standardization and efficiency in global supply chains, it has also increased the sector’s vulnerability to pests, diseases, climate variability and market shocks. At the same time, hundreds of banana and plantain varieties are cultivated worldwide and play a central role in local diets, cultures and economies, particularly in countries with strong national and regional banana markets.

Beyond Cavendish, banana genetic diversity encompasses a wide range of dessert and cooking varieties with distinct agronomic characteristics, nutritional profiles, flavour attributes and post-harvest behaviour. Many of these varieties are better adapted to specific agroecological conditions, contribute significantly to food and nutritional security, and underpin cultural identities and culinary traditions. However, despite their importance, most remain underrepresented in international trade and poorly understood by consumers and downstream market actors.

In this context, the World Banana Forum, in collaboration with the Alliance of Bioversity International and CIAT, recently published the factsheet Promoting Banana Genetic Diversity Worldwide, which highlights underrepresented banana varieties and their agronomic, nutritional and socioeconomic relevance. Building on this publication, the webinar aims to inform consumers, retailers and other value-chain actors about the diversity of banana varieties beyond Cavendish, and to highlight how varietal diversification can contribute to resilient production systems, sustainable markets and a more secure future for the global banana sector.

Objectives:

• Inform consumers, retailers and other market actors about the diversity of banana varieties beyond Cavendish, including their distinct agronomic characteristics, flavour profiles, nutritional attributes, post-harvest behaviour and typical uses.

• Highlight evidence and experiences from countries with strong national and regional banana markets regarding the cultural, dietary and socioeconomic importance of non-Cavendish varieties, as well as their contribution to local food security and consumption patterns.

• Discuss how banana genetic diversity can contribute to the resilience of production systems and value chains by reducing vulnerability to pests, diseases, climate variability and market shocks.

• Raise awareness among retailers and consumers about how varietal diversification can support sustainable production, biodiversity conservation, improved nutrition and the long-term stability of global banana supply.