Bananas from the Philippines

We are conducting an assessment of alternative measures for the importation of fresh Cavendish bananas from the Philippines for human consumption.

This is in response to a formal request from the Philippines. The Philippines requested we consider alternative measures to manage the main pathogens of concern identified in the 2008 import risk analysis for bananas from the Philippines.

On 16 June 2026, we released a notice of intention (NOI) to conduct this assessment as a Biosecurity Import Risk Analysis (BIRA). A BIRA is conducted under the Biosecurity Act 2015 and the Biosecurity Regulation 2016. Publication of the NOI signals the start of the 30-month timeframe to finalise the BIRA, noting the clock may be paused in specific circumstances.

We also released an issues paper for a 30-calendar day feedback period which closed on 16 July 2026. We are considering all comments received. Your feedback is helping to inform our draft report.

We expect to release the draft report in early 2027. Please note this is an indicative timeline and may be subject to change.

 

Steps to complete the assessment

Risk analysis flow chart - release of risk analysis

BIRA: Biosecurity Import Risk Analysis
SAG: Scientific Advisory Group
IGB: Inspector-General of Biosecurity

The main steps in our assessment process are:

  • 23 to 27 March 2026 – technical visit to the Philippines to gather information on Philippine commercial production, pest management and export practices
  • 16 June 2026 – publish a notice of intention to conduct a BIRA, release the issues paper for a 30-calendar day feedback period and publish a report on the technical visit
  • early 2027 – publish a draft report for public consultation
  • timing TBD – consider all comments received and prepare a provisional report
  • timing TBD – publish the provisional report. After the provisional report is published, stakeholders have the option to request the Inspector-General of Biosecurity (IGB) to review the process for conducting the BIRA
  • timing TBD – publish a final report.

Publication of the final report signals the conclusion of the BIRA process.

We may ask the SAG at any stage in the process to review and provide comments on any aspect of the BIRA.

We recognise that specific expert advice may be required for this assessment. To support this, we are establishing an Expert Advisory Group (EAG) comprising of experts in banana pests and diseases, production practices and pest management systems to provide independent, expert advice on this assessment.

If the assessment finds that there are measures that can reduce the biosecurity risk to achieve Australia’s appropriate level of protection (ALOP), we must complete several further steps before trade could start. This includes:

  • verifying that the Philippines can meet any recommended risk management measures
  • developing import conditions
  • publishing import conditions in our Biosecurity Import Conditions system (BICON).

This assessment is complex, and the full process could take several years to complete.

If imports commence, the feasibility of trade ultimately depends on Australian consumers.

Consumers can make informed decisions about what they buy based on quality, price and country of origin specified in labelling laws.

Please note:

  • timings are indicative and subject to change
  • the above timeline is based on the BIRA process as outlined in the Biosecurity Regulation 2016.

We must consider the Philippines’ request for alternative measures. This is due to our international obligations as members of the World Trade Organisation. Where possible, we must develop import conditions that:

  • achieve Australia’s ALOP
  • are scientifically justified
  • do not unreasonably restrict trade.

Our assessment will involve:

  • a comprehensive scientific assessment of biosecurity risks including the 3 pathogens of concern. These are Moko, black Sigatoka and banana freckle.
  • consideration of alternative risk management measures where required
  • a review of the 2008 import risk analysis to:
    • ensure the assessments of other pests are still appropriate
    • determine whether any new biosecurity risks have emerged since 2008
  • consideration of 2 additional requests from the Philippines. These were not assessed in the 2008 import risk analysis:
    • an additional cultivar known as GCTCV-218 or Formosana
    • an additional export province, Davao de Oro in the Davao Region or Region 11.

Our assessment will be a rigorous, technical, science-based process. We will follow the requirements of the Biosecurity Act 2015 and international standards.

We remain committed to upholding Australia’s biosecurity status. This includes protecting domestic industries from pest and disease threats. We will only agree to alternative measures if our assessment concludes the measures effectively manage the biosecurity risks to achieve Australia’s appropriate level of protection (ALOP).

On 16 June 2026, we provided this notice of intention. It advises that we are conducting a BIRA for the importation of fresh Cavendish bananas from the Philippines.

Under the Biosecurity Act 2015, the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry or the Director of Biosecurity can decide to commence a BIRA to ensure import settings remain consistent with Australia’s biosecurity policy objectives and ALOP.

Notice of Intention to conduct a BIRA - Bananas from the Philippines

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On 16 June 2026, we released an issues paper for a 30-calendar day feedback period.

The issues paper outlines the assessment process. It also provides background information on the Philippines’ requests, what is being considered during the assessment and how and when we are engaging with stakeholders.

We held webinars on 24 and 26 June 2026 to discuss the issues paper, BIRA process and technical visit report. Both sessions covered the same content.

Issues paper - Bananas from the Philippines

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Questions and answers

For frequently asked questions and answers on this assessment, please visit Bananas from the Philippines: questions and answers.

Resources

Webinar – 24 June 2026

Download transcript

Download Webinar slides

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Webinar – 17 September 2025

Download transcript

Download Webinar slides

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Sessions in New South Wales and Queensland

In the week of 13 October 2025, we held in-person information sessions at Innisfail and Mareeba in Queensland, and Murwillumbah and Coffs Harbour in New South Wales. Dates of each session are provided in the above ‘Summary of engagement’ table.

Attendees were primarily banana growers and those working in the supply chain, as well as industry bodies including the Australian Banana Growers’ Council and Coffs Harbour and District Banana Growers Association, officials from the state government and other interested individuals.

There were approximately 80 attendees at the Innisfail session, and approximately 40 attendees at each of the Mareeba and Coffs Harbour sessions. There were no attendees at the Murwillumbah session.

Session in Western Australia

On Wednesday 19 November 2025, we held an in-person information session at Carnarvon in Western Australia.

There were approximately 22 attendees. Attendees were primarily banana growers and those working in the supply chain, as well as the Australian Banana Growers’ Council and other interested individuals.

Engagement report

The in-person information sessions were independently facilitated by Articulous. Articulous captured the discussions on paper, including the questions and concerns raised by attendees.

Articulous developed an engagement report summarising the discussions at each session. This is provided below.

The butcher paper notes taken by Articulous at each session are available in the below appendices document.

Download

Note: the engagement report and appendices document may not meet Australian Government accessibility guidelines as it has not been prepared by the department.

In late October and November 2025, the Australian Banana Growers’ Council facilitated our visit of several banana farms and packhouses:

  • On 28 and 29 October, we visited two farms including their packing sheds in Far North Queensland.
  • On 19 November, we visited two farms and a packing shed in Carnarvon, Western Australia.

These visits were a valuable opportunity for our technical experts to hear directly from growers, observe banana production and biosecurity practices, gain an understanding of the practices used across the different regions, and ask questions.

In late March 2026, we conducted a technical visit to the Philippines. The purpose of the visit was to gather information on the Philippines’ commercial banana production, pest management and export practices. This report provides an overview of our visit. It outlines the scope and objectives of the visit, areas visited, key observations and next steps.

Download

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We remain committed to engaging with stakeholders throughout this assessment.

We are engaging widely with industry groups and key bodies. We are also engaging with state and territory governments and other stakeholders.

A summary of engagement is provided below. This list will be kept updated throughout the assessment process.

DateEngagement activityStakeholders
Monday 15 September 2025Meetings with key stakeholder groups to provide advanced notice of the public notification

State and territory Plant Health Managers

Australian Banana Growers' Council

Tuesday 16 September 2025Public notification that we are conducting the assessment of alternative measures for bananas from the PhilippinesAll stakeholders
Thursday 18 September 2025Meeting with state and territory Plant Health Managers and their staffState and territory Plant Health Managers
Wednesday 17, Friday 19 and Wednesday 24 September 2025Online information sessionsAll interested stakeholders
Monday 13 October 2025, from 3:00pm AESTIn-person information session at Innisfail, QueenslandAll interested stakeholders
Tuesday 14 October 2025, from 1:00pm AESTIn-person information session at Mareeba, QueenslandAll interested stakeholders
Wednesday 15 October 2025, from 4:00pm AEDTIn-person information session at Murwillumbah, New South WalesAll interested stakeholders
Thursday 16 October 2025, from 2:30pm AEDTIn-person information session at Coffs Harbour, New South WalesAll interested stakeholders
Thursday 23 October 2025, 3:00pm – 3:30pm AEDTOnline information sessionAll interested stakeholders
Tuesday 28 and Wednesday 29 October 2025Banana farm and packhouse visits, Far North QueenslandN/A
Monday 17 November 2025Issue 1 of our newsletter: Assessment of alternative measures for bananas from the Philippines updateStakeholders registered to receive regular updates (see ‘Keep informed’ section)
Wednesday 19 November 2025Banana farm and packhouse visits, Carnarvon, Western AustraliaN/A
Wednesday 19 November 2025, 1:00pm – 4:00pm AWSTIn-person information session at Carnarvon, Western AustraliaAll interested stakeholders
Wednesday 3 December 2025Issue 2 of our newsletter: Assessment of alternative measures for bananas from the Philippines updateStakeholders registered to receive regular updates (see ‘Keep informed’ section)
Wednesday 25 February 2026Issue 3 of our newsletter: Assessment of alternative measures for bananas from the Philippines updateStakeholders registered to receive regular updates (see ‘Keep informed’ section)
Tuesday 16 June 2026Publication of the Notice of intention to conduct the assessment as a BIRA, release of the issues paper for feedback and publication of the report on the technical visit to the PhilippinesAll interested stakeholders
Tuesday 16 June 2026Issue 4 of our newsletter: Assessment of alternative measures for bananas from the Philippines updateStakeholders registered to receive regular updates (see ‘Keep informed’ section)
Wednesday 24 June 2026 and Friday 26 June 2026Virtual meetings with stakeholders to discuss the issues paperAll interested stakeholders

The 2008 import risk analysis

We released the final import risk analysis report for Cavendish bananas from the Philippines on 12 November 2008. We determined that the importation of bananas from the Philippines may be permitted. This is subject to certain biosecurity import conditions.

The 2008 import risk analysis report identified 7 pests/pest groups of concern. Of note were Moko, black Sigatoka and banana freckle. It also identified several arthropod pests. These included armoured scales, mealybugs, spider mites and thrips.

Five appeals were lodged in response to the 2008 import risk analysis. As a result, the Import Risk Analysis Appeal Panel (IRAAP) was established.

On 3 March 2009, Australia made a policy determination that the importation of bananas may be permitted. Imports are subject to the application of risk management measures. These measures are outlined in the 2008 import risk analysis.

The complete website from 2008 has been archived and is available.

Trade

The Philippines is an important trading partner for Australia. In 2024, the Philippines was Australia’s 9th largest agriculture, fisheries and forestry export market, valued at $2.4 billion.

The Philippines’ banana industry is well established. The industry produced approximately 8.69 million tonnes of bananas in 2024. Approximately 50% of production is Cavendish.

Philippine banana production occurs year-round.

The Philippines export fresh bananas to multiple markets including Japan, Korea, China and the Middle East.

The Australian banana industry is well established. The industry produced 368,701 tonnes of bananas valued at $719.4 million in 2024-25. Bananas are produced year-round with peak production occurring between March and November. Approximately 97% of varieties grown are Cavendish.

Bananas are predominately grown in Queensland (94%). The major growing regions include the Cassowary Coast (Tully, Innisfail and Kennedy), the Atherton Tablelands and Lakeland. Bananas are also grown in northern New South Wales, Western Australia and the Northern Territory.

A policy determination was made in 2009 permitting the import of bananas from the Philippines. Imports are subject to biosecurity requirements. No trade has occurred. Australia does not currently permit the import of fresh bananas from any market.

There is currently minimal Australian banana export activity.

We have market access for exporting bananas to Japan, Republic of Korea and New Zealand. We also have access to unregulated markets such as Singapore and Hong Kong.

Keep informed

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If you would like to receive regular updates on this assessment, please contact plantstakeholders@aff.gov.au. This includes when we update this webpage.

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