Abstract Before 1960, Panama disease (fusarium wilt) was the most important disease in the banana export trades. Although the importance of Panama disease decreased after the Cavendish cultivars replaced Gros Michel, recent outbreaks have renewed interest in this problem. Race 4 affects cultivars of the Cavendish subgroup in the subtropics, as well as race 1 and race 2 suscepts. It has caused concern in the tropically based export trades which depend almost entirely on the Cavendish clones. Attention is also drawn to affected non‐exported bananas which are important cash crops or staple foods. Although they are not as well documented as those on the Cavendish subgroup, epidemics of the disease on non‐exported bananas are far more important.