While 2025, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (AGRICULTURE) tightened phytosanitary surveillance in view of the threat of Fusarium wilt in banana and plantain cultivation.
The fungus Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. Cubense Tropical Race 4 (Foc R4T), which is responsible for this disease, has caused severe damage in several regions of the world.
Given this scenario The Mexican authorities introduced increased strategies to protect national production and ensure the health of the plants.
During 2025, specialists from the National Service for Health, Safety and Quality of Food will be deployed (Senasica) examined 667,348 banana plants In the main growing areas, laboratory tests are carried out to rule out the presence of the fungus.
These measures responded to the confirmation of outbreaks in South American countries, leading to a strengthening of the phytosanitary epidemiological surveillance program (PVEF) and strengthen surveillance in higher risk regions.
Preventive work included the retention of more than 16,000 risk products at the country’s entry pointsas well as the strict inspection of agricultural and food products 97 ports, airports and border crossings.
In addition, a permanent training and dissemination program has been established in coordination with producers, industry and state governments to raise awareness phytosanitary risk and promote early detection.
Given the current limitations, with no effective control methods or resistant varieties available, prevention is considered the most effective means, according to the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development.
In order to increase the effectiveness of monitoring, in February 2025 The Ministry of Agriculture has explored 4,447 hectares with drones and monitored another 4,400 hectares with satellite images since July.
This technological strategy allowed Increase the area served by up to 800 percent compared to previous yearsThis allows for real-time identification of plants exhibiting symptoms of yellowing and wilting.
According to official information, Foc TR4 was first detected in Taiwan in 1989 and currently affects 24 countries in Asia, Oceania, Africa, Europe and South America.
In Mexico, More than 2.6 million tons of bananas are produced annually on 87,000 hectares in 16 states.where 11 different varieties are grown, highlighting the importance of maintaining phytosanitary integrity and national production in the face of a global threat.
- They are increasing monitoring for dangerous fungi: In 2025, Mexico increased surveillance to protect plantain and banana crops from the Foc-TR4 fungus, which is affecting several countries.
- They check hundreds of thousands of plants: Senasica technicians examined more than 667,000 banana plants for the fungus using laboratory tests.
- Border controls: More than 16,000 risky products were detained and shipments were checked at 97 entry points into the country.
- Use of drones and satellites: Drones and satellite images were used to monitor more than 8,800 hectares of cultivated land and quickly identify problems.
- Large-scale production at risk: Mexico grows more than 2.6 million tons of plantains and bananas annually in 16 states, which is why these crops are grown with the utmost care.
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