Sustainability in the Banana Sector: Development and Success Factors of the German Action Alliance for Sustainable Bananas

Bananas are the second most frequently consumed fruit in Germany and the country is among the top four banana importing countries worldwide. Thus, Germany represent a significant market for exporters and retailers of this tropical fruit. The related consequences of production, trade and marketing of bananas are, however, familiar only to a fraction of consumers. Particularly the negative impacts caused by banana production, which farmers, workers and surrounding communities are exposed to, are manifold. They include health and labour rights issues, deterioration and erosion of soils and watercourses, as well as social and financial inequities. These challenges are addressed in different international and national initiatives, some of which have developed standardised certification systems for farms and plantations. While considerable progress has been made, many social, ecological and economic challenges in major exporting countries remain. Due to this, the multi-stakeholder initiative Action Alliance for Sustainable Bananas, which will be introduced in this chapter, was founded at the end of 2014.