Torrential rain and floods in Côte d'Ivoire have decimated the West African country's banana production, with losses estimated at more than 115,000 tonnes, which would have been exported to Europe.
Nearly 1,300ha of plantations have reportedly been destroyed in just a matter of days, representing 22 per cent of the banana production area.
The southern region of Grand-Lahou, located around 180km west of Abidjan, has been particularly badly affected, according to reports.
Minister of agriculture Mamadou Sangafowa Coulibaly stated that the government would adopt the necessary measures to protect jobs throughout the sector at this time, with more than 2,000 direct jobs believed to be threatened.
He also revealed plans to request aid from the European Union, the chief destination for Côte d'Ivoire bananas, to keep the sector on its feet.
