Bananas market in Burundi

Earlier Report Observations

Banana market volume in Burundi began the period at a high of 1,654 thousand tons in 2018. That year, the government adopted a National Development Plan (PND 2018-2027) aiming to modernize agriculture, which set a policy framework for the sector. However, market volume fell sharply to 1,179 thousand tons in 2019 and further to 917 thousand tons in 2020.

The market rebounded strongly to 1,302 thousand tons in 2021. This recovery was followed by a drop to 1,074 thousand tons in 2022, a year in which the banana sector was reported to be threatened by diseases and a lack of plantation maintenance, directly reducing output. A modest recovery to 1,100 thousand tons was recorded in 2023.

Production bananas in Burundi

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, Burundi ranked 22nd globally in banana production volume.

Top producers of bananas, 2017-2020

World map of production of bananas, 2017-2020

The market showed an unstable trend during this period. Production reached its lowest point in 2017 and peaked in 2018, with a two-fold variation between these years. In 2020, Burundi produced 917 K t of bananas, marking a 22.2% decrease compared to the previous year. The highest production was recorded in 2018 at 1 655 K t. The largest decline occurred in 2019, with a drop of 28.7%, while the largest increase was in 2018, with growth of 99.2%.

Annual dynamics of production in Burundi in kind, 2017-2020, K t

Exports bananas from Burundi

Exports in kind, t

In 2020, Burundi exported 542.1 t of bananas, reflecting a moderate reduction of 4.4% from the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports decreased by 27%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of -10.0%. The largest decline was recorded in 2018 at 26.4%, while the largest increase occurred in 2019 with growth of 3.8%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Burundi in kind, 2017-2020, t

From 2017 to 2020, Tanzania was by far the main destination for Burundi's banana exports in kind, accounting for 98.5% of total flows.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Burundi in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, K $ US

Foreign banana supplies from Burundi declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, exports amounted to 84.3 K $ US, indicating a decrease of 6.1% compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports increased by 4.5%, equating to an annualized rate of 1.5%. The maximum value was recorded in 2018 at 120.2 K $ US. The largest decline occurred in 2019 with a drop of 25.3%, while the largest increase was in 2018 with growth of 49.0%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Burundi in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

From 2017 to 2020, Tanzania effectively monopolized Burundi's banana exports in value terms, taking 94.0% of total flows.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Burundi in value, 2017-2020

Imports bananas to Burundi

Imports in kind, t

The data reveals irregular changes, indicating a volatile market environment. Import volumes varied significantly, from a low in 2019 to a high in 2020, with a 3 607-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Burundi's volume of banana imports totaled 25.3 t, representing an abrupt advance of 360 614.3% versus the previous year. The minimum value was recorded in 2019 at 0.0 t, with the largest decline that year at 99.9%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Burundi in kind, 2017-2020, t

From 2017 to 2020, imports in kind of bananas to Burundi were almost completely tied to Tanzania, whose share amounted to 100.0% of total flows.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Burundi in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, K $ US

Volatility characterized the market behavior during these years. Imports bottomed in 2019 and peaked in 2020, differing by 142-fold. In 2020, banana imports to Burundi reached 2.7 K $ US, constituting an increase of 14 137.2% year-over-year. The minimum value was recorded in 2019 at 0.0 K $ US, with the largest decline that year at 98.4%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Burundi in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Throughout 2017 to 2020, imports in value terms remained heavily focused on Tanzania, which accounted for 99.3% of total flows.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Burundi in value, 2017-2020