Almost all of Peru’s exported bananas are organic, accounting for around 3% of global organic banana production. In 2014 production occupied around 5 500 ha, close to 4% of the total banana producing area. This was concentrated in the northern regions of Piura, Tumbes and Lambayeque, and produced mostly by...

The use of pesticides to control pests and diseases is extensive in banana plantations, particularly in those that produce for export and throughout the year. Banana crops are particularly susceptible to infestations as most are grown in the tropics, favouring conditions for pests. Pesticides are used to control different banana...

The term “carbon footprint” is used to describe the quantity of greenhouse gases generated by an item or activity. It is expressed in carbon dioxide equivalent (amount of carbon dioxide that would have the same impact on climate change) and has been widely used over the past decade for environmental assessment....

Agriculture uses 70% of the world’s freshwater drawn from aquifers, streams and lakes. As a result of the growing population global food production is expected to increase by 70% by 2050, having a direct impact on water resources. Banana plantations require an ample and frequent water supply, and deficits could...

Voluntary Sustainability Standards (VSS) are standards developed at local, national or international level by organizations from the public and private sectors on environmental and social improvements. Private VSS are developed by businesses or NGOs. In the agricultural sector, VSS promote sustainability along the value chain. They define criteria to be...