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Banana producers in Tabasco, Mexico are in the midst of a costly battle against black sigatoka, a leaf spot disease caused by an aggressive fungus. Preventative measures are costing producers up to 2 million pesos a week and up to 100 million a year, causing the Agro-Biotech Technology Transfer Laboratory to focus on reducing these costs, according to Tabasco Hoy.

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Adrián Prats Leal, President of the Produce Foundation, noted that the costs incurred by the fungus represent about 35% of production costs for banana growers, but the disease is within control standards.

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In Tabasco, there are about 17,000 hectares of banana groves planted in the regions of Teapa, Tacotalpa, Jalapa, and Cunduacán. So far, roughly 2,000 hectares have been affected by the fungus.

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Banana Report

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