CATIE to Host its First International Plantain Congress

• An event that promises to highlight this fruit in Latin America and the Caribbean.

Stakeholders from the agro-industry, and plantain producers in particular, will gather from August 26 to 28, 2025, at CATIE’s (Tropical Agricultural Research and Higher Education Center) First International Plantain Congress.

This event, which will bring together experts from over six countries, will be held at CATIE’s campus in Turrialba, Costa Rica. Its objective is to examine the current status of plantains in Latin America and the Caribbean: export dynamics, agro-industry, culinary uses, and the importance of the private sector and banking in promoting this crop.

During this gathering, attendees will enjoy lectures by international experts and producer panels discussing the commercialization of plantains for the industry. Additionally, the congress will offer a value-added experience through two workshops that will explore the preparation of traditional plantain dishes and emphasize the role the private sector can play in boosting production in the Latin American region.

Over the two days of the convention, key topics will be addressed for the future of plantains, including the current state of plantain production in Africa, the Dominican Republic, Ecuador, and Costa Rica, as well as the importance of financing for small and medium-sized plantain producers.

“Plantains are a highly versatile fruit for creating a wide variety of value-added subproducts for export. Unfortunately, and historically, plantains have been an orphaned crop, overshadowed by the world's top-selling fruit, the banana. For this reason, it is urgent and essential for plantain producers and key industry players to come together to showcase the infinite potential of plantains and to strengthen their market in the region,” said Dr. Luis Ernesto Pocasangre, Director General of CATIE.

This promises to be an event that will shine a spotlight on this fruit, particularly in the Latin American region. Save the date, August 26 to 28, 2025, and be part of the movement to bring plantains to the world stage.