Banana is not just cultivated: it is lived, transformed, and becomes Colombia’s future

In Colombia, banana is not just a crop: it is an economic, social, and cultural force that has shaped the growth of entire regions. From the plantations of Urabá in Antioquia to the Caribbean ports, the banana agroindustry has been a silent protagonist in national development. With over 60 years of history, this sector has evolved from a traditional agricultural activity into a productive ecosystem that generates formal employment, promotes social equity, and encourages environmental sustainability.

Colombian banana exports have shown sustained growth, reaching record figures in strategic markets such as the United States and Europe. This success is the result of efforts led by AUGURA and the tireless work of producers who have invested in quality, innovation, and sustainability to position the fruit and strengthen existing markets.

The growing awareness of corporate social responsibility—an area in which the Colombian banana sector is a global benchmark—has influenced consumer preferences and importer demands. This has meant additional investment by small, medium, and large producers to meet certification requirements, thus ensuring access to international markets.

Key production zones

• • Urabá, Antioquia: 60% of national production

• • Magdalena, La Guajira, and Cesar: 40% of national production
    
    

These regions not only concentrate production but have also been epicenters of social transformation, thanks to private investment, industry coordination, and community commitment.

Work with a future: Banana as a generator of decent employment

One of the greatest contributions of the banana agroindustry is the generation of formal employment. Unlike other agricultural sectors, banana has become a model of exemplary labor practices, based on:

• • Formal hiring

• • The highest wages in Colombia’s agricultural sector

• • Social security affiliation

• • Legal and extra-legal benefits

• • Technical and professional training

• • Active unionism and collective bargaining
    
    

In the Urabá subregion, more than 90% of workers are unionized, which has enabled the construction of strong labor relations for over 38 years, based on mutual well-being between employers and workers. This model has been recognized by international organizations as an example of social dialogue in the rural sector.

Sowing well-being: Development for banana-growing communities

The banana agroindustry has been a key player in the social transformation of historically marginalized regions. Through social foundations such as Uniban Fundación, Fundación Greenland, Fundafrut, among others, high-impact projects have been implemented in:

• • Education: Free training, higher education scholarships, construction of rural schools, improvement of educational infrastructure, technical training for sector workers.

• • Health: Medical centers, mobile brigades, strengthening of health systems.

• • Housing: Subsidies, infrastructure improvement, access to public services, housing construction for workers.

• • Recreation, culture, and sports: High-performance sports schools, support for competing athletes, construction of libraries, music and arts schools.
    
    

These initiatives have helped reduce social gaps, improve quality of life, and strengthen community ties in rural areas where banana is present.

Sustainability born on the farm

Sustainability is one of the pillars of agroindustry management. Companies have adopted agroecological practices and international standards that validate responsible production.

• • Certifications: Rainforest Alliance, Global GAP, Fair Trade

• • Water management: Efficient irrigation systems, watershed protection

• • Biological pest control: Reduction in agrochemical use

• • Circular economy: Composting, plastic recycling, clean energy
    
    

Additionally, through the Colombian Banana Growers Association (AUGURA), programs have been implemented for climate change adaptation, genetic research, and environmental monitoring with support from institutions such as ICA, AGROSAVIA, CIAT, EMPRABA, among others.

The competitiveness of the banana sector increasingly depends on its ability to innovate. In recent years, initiatives in digital transformation, traceability, and precision agriculture have been developed:

• • Drones and sensors for crop monitoring

• • Digital platforms for farm management

• • Blockchain for export traceability

• • Biotechnology for disease control such as Fusarium R4T
    
    

These tools not only improve productivity but also meet market demands for sustainability, safety, and transparency throughout the production chain.

The sector has not been without challenges. Production costs have risen significantly, especially due to increased input and logistics costs. Additionally, the fight against the Fusarium Tropical Race 4 fungus and the effects of climate change have directly impacted productivity, causing extreme weather events that affect harvests.

In response to these challenges, AUGURA has intensified efforts to secure public policies that promote interinstitutional investment in infrastructure and technology, aiming to improve competitiveness and face global challenges.

Another major challenge is the fluctuation of international banana prices, which requires constant adaptation to market dynamics. In response, AUGURA is working on market diversification strategies and promoting Colombian bananas as a high-quality product capable of competing internationally.

The Colombian banana sector is poised for great opportunities thanks to the European Union’s Due Diligence Directive. This regulation, which prioritizes labor sustainability, recognizes the Colombian model as a global benchmark for decent working conditions.

This new scenario represents an opportunity to showcase Colombian bananas as an agricultural powerhouse and for the international market to value the country’s commitment to sustainability, equity, and rural development.