According to IbisWorld, this decision points to a new trend towards higher imports of fruit and vegetables, with IbisWorld anticipating banana imports will hold 25pc of the market within five years.

IbisWorld says the latest development is a symptom of a broader trend.

"The drought has put pressure on domestic production levels, and climate change is constraining future fruit production," IbisWorld general manager (Australia), Robert Bryant, says.

"While Australia is relatively open to trade, we have always had high quarantine standards."

But Biosecurity Australia, he points out, is also considering allowing imported apples from China and the US, citrus fruits from the US and South Africa, stone fruit from the US, grapes from China and mandarins from Japan and Korea.

It is also assessing the impact of permitting the import of certain prawns, egg products, horses, chicken meat and a raft of other animal products, indicating heightened pressure on local producers and a greater exposure to foreign pests for the foreseeable future.

Banana production is worth more than $417 million to Australian farmers, and an estimated $891m at retail level, with local banana producers receiving around eight times more for their produce than their counterparts in the Philippines.

But the Australian industry is not only fearful of the price implications of competition from the Philippines, but also the risk of dangerous diseases that may come with them.

Robert Bryant says consumers will enjoy a 35pc discount on imported bananas, but at potentially significant cost to local livelihoods.

"We consume around 13.4kg of bananas per person each year," Mr Bryant says.

"If the farmers' appeal against Biosecurity Australia's decision – set down for December 12 – is unsuccessful, we'll see per capita consumption rise 14pc to 15.3kg.