Bananas market in Australia

Earlier Report Observations

The Australian banana market is primarily supplied by domestic production, with the Cavendish variety representing 97% of output and stringent biosecurity regulations under the Imported Food Control Act effectively barring fresh banana imports. Market volume in thousand tonnes showed notable fluctuations between 2018 and 2023, declining from 373.9 in 2018 to 310.1 in 2019 before recovering to 403.0 in 2021 and then stabilizing around 374 thousand tonnes in 2022 and 2023.

In value terms, the market grew substantially from 606 million US dollars in 2018 to over 1 013 million in 2022, even as physical volume eased. This increase in market value was accompanied by Dole's launch of organic banana lines in Australia, catering to evolving consumer preferences for premium products, and a concurrent rise in import prices to $2.88 AUD per kilogram in 2022, reflecting a broader trend of value growth within the sector.

Production bananas in Australia

In kind, 2018-2021, K t

Top producers of bananas, 2018-2021

World map of production of bananas, 2018-2021

Australia's banana production increased for the second consecutive year. In 2021, the country produced 403.0 thousand tonnes of bananas, marking a moderate rise of 8.2% compared to 2020. Over the period from 2018 to 2021, production grew by 7.8%, which translates to an annualized rate of 2.5%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2019 at 310.2 thousand tonnes, representing the largest decline of 17.1% that year. In contrast, the largest increase occurred in 2020, with production surging by 20.1%.

Annual dynamics of production in Australia in kind, 2018-2021, K t

In value, 2018-2021, M $ US

Australia's banana production value increased for the third consecutive year. In 2021, the output of bananas was valued at 918.4 million US dollars, reflecting a strong increase of 13.3% compared to the previous year. From 2018 to 2021, production value grew by 51.7%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 14.9%.

Annual dynamics of production in Australia in value, 2018-2021, M $ US

Exports bananas from Australia

Exports in kind, kg

The market exhibited volatility during the observed period. Exports reached their lowest point in 2020 at 40 040 kg, marking the largest decline of 56.3% that year. By 2021, banana exports from Australia recovered to 81 260 kg, showing a significant increase of 102.9% from the previous year. Overall, exports fluctuated by 2.4 times between the peak in 2018 and the trough in 2020.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Australia in kind, 2018-2021, kg

From 2018 to 2021, Australia's banana exports in kind were heavily concentrated on Japan, which accounted for 71.4% of total flows. The remaining share was distributed among other countries.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's exports from Australia in kind, 2018-2021

Exports in value, K $ US

The data reveals irregular changes, indicating a volatile market environment. Export value hit its lowest point in 2020 at 87.1 thousand US dollars, with the largest decline of 51.4% recorded that year. In 2021, Australia's banana export value rebounded to 185.2 thousand US dollars, showing a substantial increase of 112.5% compared to 2020. Overall, export levels fluctuated by 2.1 times between the high in 2021 and the low in 2020.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Australia in value, 2018-2021, K $ US

During 2018–2021, the leading destinations for Australia's banana exports in value terms were Japan, accounting for 51.3% of exports, followed by Nauru at 15.2%, and Hong Kong at 11.5%. Together, these three countries represented 78.0% of total export flows.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's exports from Australia in value, 2018-2021

Imports bananas to Australia

Imports in kind, kg

There were noticeable fluctuations in market performance during this period. Imports reached their lowest point in 2019 at 51 013 kg, while peaking in 2020 at 97 211 kg, with the largest increase of 90.6% recorded that year. In 2021, Australia imported 58 843 kg of bananas, which is 39.5% lower than the previous year. Overall, imports varied by 1.9 times between the peak in 2020 and the trough in 2019.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Australia in kind, 2018-2021, kg

From 2018 to 2021, the main sources for Australia's banana imports in kind were Thailand, accounting for 29.5% of imports, Vietnam at 18.7%, and Uganda at 14.4%. Collectively, these three countries represented 62.6% of total import flows.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's imports to Australia in kind, 2018-2021

Imports in value, K $ US

Australia's banana import value increased for the second consecutive year. In 2021, imports were valued at approximately 359.3 thousand US dollars, up by 5.6% compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2018 to 2021, import value grew by 33.5%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 10.1%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 251.0 thousand US dollars, marking the largest decline of 6.7% that year, while the largest increase of 35.6% occurred in 2020.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Australia in value, 2018-2021, K $ US

Throughout 2018–2021, Thailand played the dominant role in Australia's banana imports in value terms, accounting for 53.0% of imports. China contributed 7.6%, and Uganda 7.2%, with these three countries jointly representing 67.9% of total import flows.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's imports to Australia in value, 2018-2021