Kansas City, Missouri – Banana shortages are being reported across parts of the Heartland this February, with shoppers noticing higher prices and thinning inventory at some grocery stores.
According to regional produce distributors, banana shipments into Missouri, Kansas, Iowa, Nebraska, Oklahoma, and surrounding states have become less consistent since late January. Retailers near major freight and retail corridors, including Interstates 70, 35, and 80, report faster sellouts, particularly at high-volume stores serving suburban and rural communities.
Industry officials say the tightening supply is tied to global production losses and lingering transportation delays. 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 abandon infected plantations, limiting export volumes. Shipping delays related to labor disputes and port congestion in late 2024 are also affecting delivery schedules to Midwest and Plains distribution centers.
Retail pricing data shows bananas across the Heartland now averaging between 63 and 75 cents per pound, an increase of roughly 10 to 18 percent compared with February last year. Some grocery chains have reduced bulk promotions or adjusted weekly advertisements as supply remains uneven.
Consumers say the impact is becoming more noticeable during routine shopping trips. Shoppers near interstate exits and regional retail hubs report produce shelves thinning later in the day, especially before weekends. Food service operators, including school cafeterias, hospital kitchens, and smoothie shops near college campuses, say they are adjusting menus or sourcing strategies to manage rising costs.
Agricultural experts say longer-term solutions, such as disease-resistant banana varieties and diversified sourcing regions, are being developed but are unlikely to ease shortages immediately. Distributors expect availability to remain uneven through late winter and possibly into early spring.
The situation is particularly relevant for commuters, students, and young workers across the Heartland who rely on bananas as a low-cost staple at neighborhood grocery stores.
