Houston, Texas – Banana shortages are being reported across parts of the Gulf Coast this February, with shoppers encountering higher prices and intermittent gaps on grocery store shelves.
According to regional produce distributors, banana shipments into Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, and the Florida Panhandle have become less consistent since late January. Retailers near major transportation and shopping corridors, including Interstates 10, 45, 65, and 75, report faster sellouts, particularly at high-volume stores serving coastal and suburban communities.
Industry officials attribute the tightening supply to a combination of global production challenges and lingering transportation disruptions. Tropical Race 4, a fungal disease affecting Cavendish bananas, continues to reduce yields in major exporting countries across Central and South America. The disease has forced some growers to scale back production or abandon infected fields. At the same time, shipping delays tied to labor disputes and port congestion in late 2024 continue to affect delivery schedules to Gulf Coast distribution centers.
Retail pricing data shows bananas across parts of the Gulf Coast now averaging between 64 and 77 cents per pound, representing a 10 to 20 percent increase compared with February last year. Some grocery chains have reduced bulk promotions or adjusted weekly advertisements as supplies fluctuate.
Consumers say the changes are becoming more noticeable during routine shopping trips. Shoppers near interstate exits and coastal retail hubs report thinning produce displays later in the day, particularly ahead of weekends. Food service operators, including school cafeterias, hospital kitchens, and smoothie shops near college campuses and office parks, say they are adjusting menus or sourcing strategies to manage rising costs.
Agricultural experts say longer-term solutions, including disease-resistant banana varieties and expanded sourcing regions, are under development but unlikely to stabilize supply in the short term. Distributors expect uneven availability to continue through late winter and into early spring.
The situation is especially relevant for commuters, students, and young workers across the Gulf Coast who rely on bananas as an affordable staple at neighborhood grocery stores.
