Bananas market in Australia and New Zealand

Earlier Report Observations

The market volume for bananas in Australia and New Zealand experienced significant fluctuations from 2018 to 2021. Starting at 462.5 thousand tons in 2018, it fell by 14% to 396.8 thousand tons in 2019. A strong recovery followed in 2020, bringing volume to 459.2 thousand tons, and growth continued to a peak of 487.7 thousand tons in 2021, a 6% increase for the year.

Market volume declined by 7% to 454.7 thousand tons in 2022, influenced by adverse weather conditions and the spread of banana fusarium wilt tropical race 4 (Panama disease TR4), which constrained production. Tighter maximum residue levels for pesticides in key supplying countries also limited import access. The market stabilized near 457 thousand tons in 2023, as ongoing supply chain disruptions and heavy rainfall in Latin America were counterbalanced by the launch of new organic banana lines from major companies and the expansion of e-commerce sales channels.

By 2024, consumer demand had shifted toward organic and sustainably sourced bananas, prompting leading companies to introduce dedicated product lines. E-commerce platforms further altered distribution, facilitating direct-to-consumer sales. Concurrently, global inflationary pressures and regulatory changes on pesticide residues continued to affect market conditions. The dried banana segment also grew, driven by demand for convenient, healthy snacks, although it faced challenges from fluctuating raw material prices.

Production bananas in Australia and New Zealand

In kind, 2018-2021, K t

Top producers of bananas, 2018-2021

World map of production of bananas, 2018-2021

Banana production in Australia and New Zealand has increased for the second year in a row. In 2021, the region produced 403.0 thousand tonnes of bananas, marking a modest 8.2% rise compared to the previous year. Looking at the period from 2018 to 2021, production grew by 7.8%, which translates to an average annual increase of 2.5%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2019 at 310.2 thousand tonnes, when output fell by 17.1%—the largest decline in the period. In contrast, 2020 saw the biggest increase, with production jumping by 20.1%.

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

In value, 2018-2021, M $ US

The value of banana production in Australia and New Zealand has declined for the second consecutive year. In 2021, output was valued at 551.1 million US dollars, reflecting a slight contraction of 1.6% from 2020. Over the 2018 to 2021 period, production value decreased by 8.7%, averaging an annual decline of 3.0%. The highest value was recorded in 2019 at 624.5 million US dollars, which included a 3.5% increase—the largest gain in the period. The most significant drop occurred in 2020, with a 10.3% decrease.

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

Exports bananas from Australia and New Zealand

Exports in kind, t

The data shows irregular changes, pointing to a volatile market environment. Australia and New Zealand exported 191 tonnes of bananas in 2021, representing a dramatic increase of 121.0% compared to the previous year. The lowest export volume was recorded in 2020 at 87 tonnes, which saw a decline of 19.9%—the largest drop in the period. The highest volume was observed in 2021, with a peak-to-trough ratio of 2.2 times compared to 2020.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Australia and New Zealand in kind, 2018-2021, t

From 2018 to 2021, the main destinations for banana exports from Australia and New Zealand in volume terms were Japan (54.9% of exports), Tonga (9.4%), and Nauru (9.1%). Together, these three countries accounted for 73.4% of total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

The data reveals irregular changes, indicating a volatile market environment. Australia and New Zealand exported bananas worth 261 thousand US dollars in 2021, showing a sharp gain of 100.9% from 2020. The lowest value was recorded in 2020 at 130 thousand US dollars, which experienced a decline of 40.2%—the largest drop in the period. Volumes reached their maximum in 2021 and hit a minimum in 2020, representing a two-fold shift.

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

Throughout 2018 to 2021, the key partners for banana exports from Australia and New Zealand in value terms were Japan (37.8% of exports), Singapore (11.9%), and Nauru (11.2%). These three countries jointly represented 60.8% of total export flows.

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

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

Imports bananas to Australia and New Zealand

Imports in kind, t

In 2021, banana imports to Australia and New Zealand from abroad stood at 84 866 tonnes, down by 2.3% compared to 2020. Over the period from 2018 to 2021, imports decreased by 4.3%, with a compound annual growth rate of -1.5%. The largest increase was recorded in 2020 at 0.2%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Australia and New Zealand in kind, 2018-2021, t

From 2018 to 2021, Ecuador played a leading role in banana imports to Australia and New Zealand in volume terms, accounting for 77.2% of total flows, with the remainder distributed among other partners.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Banana imports to Australia and New Zealand have declined for the second consecutive year. In 2021, imports reached 70 507 thousand US dollars, remaining broadly stable compared to 2020. The highest value was recorded in 2019 at 71 777 thousand US dollars, which saw an increase of 3.7%—the largest gain in the period. The most significant decline occurred in 2020, with a drop of 1.4%.

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

Over the 2018 to 2021 period, Ecuador remained the dominant partner for banana imports to Australia and New Zealand in value terms, holding a share of 74.5% of total flows, while other markets formed a long tail.

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

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