Bananas market in China, 2026

Earlier Report Observations

The volume of China's banana market grew from 12.7 million tons in 2018 to 13.6 million tons in 2019, supported by increasing consumer demand for healthy foods which stimulated local production. Simultaneously, disease and flood issues in the Philippines, a key import source, led to supply fluctuations, yet total import volume rose in 2019 due to overall market demand growth.

Market volume dipped to 13.3 million tons in 2020 as global supply chain disruptions constrained imports. Recovery followed in 2021, with volume reaching 13.6 million tons, driven by steady production growth in major Chinese growing regions like Guangdong and Guangxi, and increased import competition from alternative sources such as Vietnam and Cambodia.

From 2022 to 2023, market volume stabilized around 13.5 million tons, with a slight decline to 13.4 million tons in 2023. This period reflected the impact of farmland protection policies that limited banana cultivation expansion, alongside the introduction of new wilt-resistant varieties like 'Dessert Banana 1'. Concurrently, imports continued to decline as improved domestic cultivation technology and the launch of efficient logistics routes, such as the China-Laos railway cold-chain trains, boosted the share of domestic bananas and imports from neighboring countries.

Production bananas in China

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Between 2017 and 2020, China held the second position globally in banana production.

Top producers of bananas, 2017-2020

World map of production of bananas, 2017-2020

Banana production in China increased for two consecutive years before declining. In 2020, production reached 11 513 thousand tonnes, marking a 1.2% decrease compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, overall production grew by 3.1%, with a compound annual growth rate of 1.0%. The peak was recorded in 2019 at 11 656 thousand tonnes, which also saw the largest annual increase of 3.9%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

In 2020, the value of banana output in China was 9 290 million US dollars, representing an 18.9% drop from the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, production value decreased by 20.4%, corresponding to an annualized decline of 7.3%. The largest increase occurred in 2019, with a rise of 6.9%.

Annual dynamics of production in China in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Exports bananas from China

Exports in kind, K t

Banana exports from China grew for two years before falling. In 2020, exports amounted to 20 thousand tonnes, a significant 15.3% decrease year-over-year. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports increased by 25.2%, with a compound annual growth rate of 7.8%. The highest volume was recorded in 2019 at 23 thousand tonnes, while the largest annual increase of 22.4% occurred in 2018.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Hong Kong, North Korea, and Macao were the three main markets, collectively accounting for 84.7% of China's total banana exports by volume.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

After two years of growth, the value of banana exports from China declined. In 2020, exports were valued at 16 million US dollars, a 30.4% decrease compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, export value fell by 3.3%, equating to an annualized decline of 1.1%. The peak value was recorded in 2019 at 23 million US dollars, which also saw the largest annual increase of 24.3%.

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

During 2017-2020, Hong Kong and North Korea dominated China's banana exports in value terms, together representing 85.8% of total flows, while other destinations contributed smaller individual shares.

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

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

Imports bananas to China

Imports in kind, K t

Banana imports into China rose for two years before decreasing. In 2020, imports reached 1 764 thousand tonnes, a 9.1% decline year-over-year. From 2017 to 2020, imports increased by 69.7%, with an annualized growth rate of 19.3%. The highest volume was recorded in 2019 at 1 940 thousand tonnes, and the largest annual increase of 48.7% occurred in 2018.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, the Philippines, Ecuador, and Vietnam were the leading sources for banana imports into China by volume, accounting for 57.1%, 19.0%, and 11.9% of imports, respectively. Together, these three countries represented 88.0% of total import flows.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

After two years of gains, the value of banana imports into China declined. In 2020, import value stood at 952 million US dollars, reflecting a substantial 13.0% decrease from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, import value increased by 64.3%, with a compound annual growth rate of 18.0%. The peak was recorded in 2019 at 1 094 million US dollars, while the largest annual increase of 54.8% occurred in 2018.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the Philippines, Ecuador, and Vietnam formed the primary cluster of markets for banana imports into China by value, with shares of 58.2%, 21.4%, and 9.3%, respectively. Collectively, they accounted for 89.0% of total import flows.

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

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