Chinese inspection authorities have destroyed almost 100 metric tons (MT) of Philippine bananas in the past month, citing phytosanitary and pesticide residue concerns with the fruit. 

After 35MT of the bananas were intercepted in Shenzhen on March 25, with officials claiming the shipment had excessive amounts of the chemical carbendazim, another infraction occurred late last week.

CCTV reported two shipments of Philippine bananas discovered in Shanghai - with a total weight of more than 60MT - contained larvae from the gray pineapple mealybug (Dysmicoccus neobrevipes).

Authorities claimed the larvae found would have been a serious threat to Chinese horticulture if allowed to spread, CCTV reported.

After the first interception, on March 30 China blacklisted 19 Philippine companies from exporting their bananas to the country.

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