A recent study published in Nature Food indicates that climate change could result in a 60% reduction in areas suitable for banana production in Costa Rica by the year 2080. The analysis, which utilized high-resolution satellite imagery, identifies Costa Rica as one of the countries most at risk due to its dependence on warm, low-lying regions for agriculture.

The research suggests that temperatures surpassing 30°C, which are expected to become more commonplace, will adversely affect banana growth and yields while increasing susceptibility to pests and diseases.

The study notes that while intensive banana cultivation benefits from warm, aseasonal environments with slightly acidic soils, its dependency on irrigation means that rainfall is not a limiting factor.

Nonetheless, the rising temperatures, alongside the demands for labor and export infrastructure, could drastically shrink the land available for banana farming and lower yields in many current agricultural zones.

Costa Rica, recognized as a major player in global banana exports, is bracing for potential crises as numerous existing banana plantations face unsustainability due to the changing climate.

The banana sector is vital to the country, contributing thousands of jobs and generating significant revenue, thus making the need for adaptation strategies increasingly urgent.

José Antonio Guzmán, a representative of the National Banana Corporation (CORBANA), emphasized the necessity of innovation and sustainability measures to safeguard food security and the future of banana crops in the region.

In response to these challenges, CORBANA has initiated several environmental sustainability efforts.

These include recycling 100% of production plastics, conserving approximately 14,500 hectares of forest adjacent to plantations, and exploring water conservation techniques and alternative agricultural practices.

However, the study suggests that these initiatives may require substantial scaling to effectively counter projected declines in suitable farming land and agricultural output.

The implications of climate change are not confined to Costa Rica; neighboring banana-producing countries such as Ecuador and Colombia are also expected to experience similar threats.

Nevertheless, Costa Rica's unique climate and geographical characteristics render it particularly vulnerable.

Researchers advocate for enhanced regional cooperation and increased investment in heat-resistant banana varieties to prevent a widespread collapse of the banana export market.

Despite the study's significant findings, the local farmers are not represented in the research, which raises unanswered questions regarding the immediate impacts on those directly involved in banana farming.

Additionally, Costa Rican government officials have yet to respond publicly to the study or provide a national strategy to address the outlined risks.