It turns out that bananas could possibly be going extinct in the near future.

Fifty years ago, the bananas sold at markets and stores were of much better quality. Until 1965, the banana species of Gros Michel had been the world’s main export. Unfortunately, this type of banana became extinct because of a Panamanian disease, that started in Central Africa and spread to important banana plantations. As a result, the banana industry had to look for an alternate banana species. Eventually, they settled with the Cavendish cultivar, which was said to have  immunity towards the disease.

As a result, the Cavendish banana became the main exported banana, partially because the banana industry lacks variety; which is very dangerous. Because there is only one main type of banana on the market, if another disease wipes out the majority of genetically unvaried bananas, then the industry might need to find an alternative. Right now, they definitely need to find that alternative.

The new disease, “Tropical Race 4,” is very similar to the Panama disease. The fungus involved is highly common and has already spread very rapidly to the southern areas of Africa. This disease has cost Matanuska, the company in charge of most of the banana plantations, around 7.5 million dollars.

As of now, experts are looking for more alternatives for which types of bananas to sell in the markets, and are seriously considering hybrids. Additionally, this industry is doing the best it can to prevent another potential extinction of bananas.