Industry Trends: Fresh Produce Forum
A natural mutation offers a breakthrough solution to the global banana crisis.
One of the world’s most beloved fruits is being devastated by a silent pandemic, but a natural mutation could be the key to saving global supply chains. At FRUIT LOGISTICA 2025, scientists, seed innovators, producers and retailers came together to discuss the ways in which biology, AI and global collaboration are driving a revolution in the fresh produce industry.
Banana SOS: Nature’s Mutation Strikes Back
Dr Anup Karwa, co-inventor of InnoGreen, opened the session 'New Fruits and Vegetables by Design' with an urgent message: Banana production is under attack from Fusarium wilt tropical race 4, a disease that has already devastated crops in over 130 countries. Entire farms have been abandoned. The Philippines, once a top banana exporter, has fallen in the global rankings.
Enter InnoGreen: a naturally mutated Cavendish banana variety that was discovered in the disease-infested 'graveyards' of the Philippines. It demonstrates robust tolerance and high yields, and crucially, there are no regulatory obstacles to its commercialisation. Unlike many lab-designed plants, this mutation occurred naturally and offers a real, scalable alternative."It stays green, escapes disease and is entirely nature-derived," explained Dr Anup Karwa.
InnoGreen isn’t just resistant; it meets consumer standards for colour, shape, and taste. Unlike infected varieties that must be harvested early, sacrificing weight and flavour, it matures fully on the plant. This means more income for farmers and a better banana for everyone.
A Banana Vaccine? Bio-Innovation Meets Sustainability
Dr Karwa also unveiled BanacXin, a biological control agent made from native Indian microbes. This organic treatment can revive infected banana plants within months, and is effective against multiple strains of Fusarium. "Just four months after infection, the plant recovers and starts producing fruit again," said Dr Karwa.
It is 100% water-soluble, ready for injection, and compatible with various application methods – a rare combination of efficacy, sustainability, and scalability. When used alongside InnoGreen, the two products form an open-source, two-part system that could protect millions of hectares without the need for traditional chemical pesticides.
Genetics and the Power of Design
While Dr Karwa focused on nature's mutations, Anker Sorensen of KeyGene took the audience deeper into the science of 'genomic design'. Technologies such as CRISPR, tissue culture and a new technique called 2S1, which involves merging plant skins and cores, are transforming the way fruits and vegetables are bred. These methods enable precise changes to flavour, nutrition, and disease resistance to be made without the controversies associated with older GMOs.
Panel Verdict: Innovate or Be Left Behind
Representing the entire value chain – from seeds to shelves – the expert panel agreed that the future of fresh produce lies in smart, science-driven design.
Bauke van Lenteren of Rijk Zwaan highlighted that cutting-edge breeding tools are only as powerful as the knowledge behind them. “You can only use the technology if you know what’s happening inside the plant – it’s not just about having the tools, but knowing where to start in the puzzle.” She called for deeper industry-wide collaboration and data-sharing to better understand plant responses, especially in controlled environments where AI can unlock new insights.
Luke Vanoirbeek of the Association of Belgian Horticultural Cooperatives (VBT) spoke from the producer’s perspective, urging regulators to support – not stifle – innovation. “Let’s embrace this new technology. We need it to produce more, with higher quality and sustainability, using fewer tools than ever before.” He warned that without regulatory reform, Europe risks falling behind in the global race for agricultural resilience.
Maria Wieloch of ICA Gruppen, one of Sweden’s largest retailers, stressed the importance of consumer-centric innovation. “The consumer wants a product that tastes great, is healthy, and grown without any pesticides.” She advocated for reversing the traditional farm-to-fork mindset – starting instead from consumer needs and working backward through the supply chain.
All agreed: success will depend not only on breakthrough science but also on joined-up thinking – across breeding, production, retail, and policy.
But while the tools are ready, one major question remains:
Will Europe act fast enough to stay in the game — or get left behind?
As bananas bounce back in the Philippines and new breeding methods emerge globally, the big question remains: Can Europe find the political and regulatory courage to support science-driven, sustainable agriculture? Or will outdated fears cost its farmers and consumers the fruits of progress?
This newsblog article was created in co-operation with Fruitnet Media International.