Market research

Bananas market in Eastern Africa

Release date: Mar 28, 2026

Submission: 15 minutes after payment

Research period: 2017-2025

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"Eastern Africa" region includes following countries:

British Indian Ocean Territory

Burundi

Comoros

Mayotte

Ethiopia

Eritrea

French Southern Territories

Djibouti

Kenya

Madagascar

Malawi

Mauritius

Mozambique

Reunion

Rwanda

Seychelles

Somalia

Zimbabwe

South Sudan

Uganda

Tanzania

Zambia

Earlier Report Observations

Banana production in Eastern Africa grew steadily from 10.7 million tonnes in 2018 to over 12.2 million tonnes in 2022, supported by state-led agricultural improvements. In Tanzania, the Horticultural Association deployed agronomists to enhance farming practices, while Rwanda invested in germplasm conservation and integrated pest management. The release of high-yielding varieties like 'Tariban' in 2022 further increased output, helping mitigate challenges from diseases such as Fusarium wilt.

Production dipped slightly to 11.8 million tonnes in 2023 as soil acidification issues affected yields in Tanzania. Efforts to commercialize banana farming intensified, with organizations promoting it as a cash crop. In 2024, regional initiatives aimed to bolster the sector: Rwanda launched a project to boost production with quality plantlets, Tanzania funded industrial development for value addition, and Kenya explored new export markets like South Korea.

Table of content

1. Disclaimer
2. Terms of use of the report
3. Product codes in the statistical classifications used in the report
4. Key Market Indicators and Trends
1. 4.1. Key Market Indicators
  1. 4.1.1. In kind
    1. 4.1.1.1. Production, 2018-2023
    2. 4.1.1.2. Imports, 2018-2024
    3. 4.1.1.3. Exports, 2018-2024
    4. 4.1.1.4. Market size, 2018-2023
  2. 4.1.2. In value
    1. 4.1.2.1. Production, 2018-2023
    2. 4.1.2.2. Imports, 2018-2024
    3. 4.1.2.3. Exports, 2018-2024
    4. 4.1.2.4. Market size, 2018-2023
2. 4.2. Market Trends and Factors
5. Production
1. 5.1. Production in Eastern Africa
  1. 5.1.1. Annual dynamics of production in Eastern Africa in kind, 2018-2023, K t
2. 5.2. Global production by Country, 2018-2023
  1. 5.2.1. Annual dynamics of production by macroregions in kind, 2018-2023, K t
  2. 5.2.2. Dynamics of production structure by macroregions in kind, 2018-2023
  3. 5.2.3. Annual dynamics of production by country in kind, 2018-2023, K t
  4. 5.2.4. Structure of production by countries in kind, 2018-2023
  5. 5.2.5. Dynamics of peoduction structure by countries in kind, 2018-2023
6. Exports
1. 6.1. Exports (Direct Data*)
  1. 6.1.1. Exports - Total information
  2. 6.1.2. Exports in kind, K t
    1. 6.1.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from British Indian Ocean Territory in kind, 2018-2024, K t
    2. 6.1.2.2. Dynamics of product's exports in kind from British Indian Ocean Territory by countries, 2018-2024, K t
    3. 6.1.2.3. Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 6.1.3. Exports in value, K $ US
    1. 6.1.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from British Indian Ocean Territory in value, 2018-2024, K $ US
    2. 6.1.3.2. Dynamics of product's exports in value from British Indian Ocean Territory by countries, 2018-2024, K $ US
    3. 6.1.3.3. Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  4. 6.1.4. Average price of product's exports, $ US/t
    1. 6.1.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's exports from British Indian Ocean Territory, 2018-2024, $ US/t
    2. 6.1.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's exports from British Indian Ocean Territory by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/t
2. 6.2. Exports (Mirror Data)
  1. 6.2.1. Exports - Total information
  2. 6.2.2. Exports in kind, K t
    1. 6.2.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from British Indian Ocean Territory in kind, 2018-2024, K t
    2. 6.2.2.2. Dynamics of product's exports in kind from British Indian Ocean Territory by countries, 2018-2024, K t
    3. 6.2.2.3. Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 6.2.3. Exports in value, K $ US
    1. 6.2.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from British Indian Ocean Territory in value, 2018-2024, K $ US
    2. 6.2.3.2. Dynamics of product's exports in value from British Indian Ocean Territory by countries, 2018-2024, K $ US
    3. 6.2.3.3. Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  4. 6.2.4. Average price of product's exports, $ US/t
    1. 6.2.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's exports from British Indian Ocean Territory, 2018-2024, $ US/t
    2. 6.2.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's exports from British Indian Ocean Territory by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/t
7. Imports
1. 7.1. Imports (Direct Data*)
  1. 7.1.1. Imports - Total information
  2. 7.1.2. Imports in kind, K t
    1. 7.1.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to British Indian Ocean Territory in kind, 2018-2024, K t
    2. 7.1.2.2. Dynamics of product's imports in kind to British Indian Ocean Territory by countries, 2018-2024, K t
    3. 7.1.2.3. Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 7.1.3. Imports in value, K $ US
    1. 7.1.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to British Indian Ocean Territory in value, 2018-2024, K $ US
    2. 7.1.3.2. Dynamics of product's imports in value to British Indian Ocean Territory by countries, 2018-2024, K $ US
    3. 7.1.3.3. Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  4. 7.1.4. Average price of product's imports, $ US/t
    1. 7.1.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's imports to British Indian Ocean Territory, 2018-2024, $ US/t
    2. 7.1.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's imports to British Indian Ocean Territory by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/t
2. 7.2. Imports (Mirror Data)
  1. 7.2.1. Imports - Total information
  2. 7.2.2. Imports in kind, K t
    1. 7.2.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to British Indian Ocean Territory in kind, 2018-2024, K t
    2. 7.2.2.2. Dynamics of product's imports in kind to British Indian Ocean Territory by countries, 2018-2024, K t
    3. 7.2.2.3. Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 7.2.3. Imports in value, K $ US
    1. 7.2.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to British Indian Ocean Territory in value, 2018-2024, K $ US
    2. 7.2.3.2. Dynamics of product's imports in value to British Indian Ocean Territory by countries, 2018-2024, K $ US
    3. 7.2.3.3. Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  4. 7.2.4. Average price of product's imports, $ US/t
    1. 7.2.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's imports to British Indian Ocean Territory, 2018-2024, $ US/t
    2. 7.2.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's imports to British Indian Ocean Territory by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/t
8. Trade balance
1. 8.1. Trade balance (Direct Data)
  1. 8.1.1. In kind, K t
  2. 8.1.2. In value, K $ US
2. 8.2. Trade balance (Mirror Data)
  1. 8.2.1. In kind, K t
  2. 8.2.2. In value, K $ US
9. Top buying and selling countries, 2018-2024
1. 9.1. Direct Data
  1. 9.1.1. Import in Value by Countries-buyers
  2. 9.1.2. Export in Value by Countries-suppliers
2. 9.2. Mirror Data
  1. 9.2.1. Import in Value by Countries-buyers
  2. 9.2.2. Export in Value by Countries-suppliers

Production bananas in Eastern Africa

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of bananas, 2017-2020

Source: SHEV.io

World map of production of bananas, 2017-2020

Source: SHEV.io

Banana production in Eastern Africa has increased for the third year in a row. In 2020, the region produced 10 879 thousand tonnes of bananas, which is 1.1% higher than in 2019. From 2017 to 2020, production grew by 18%, representing an average annual growth rate of 5.7%.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	16.5%	0.3%	1.1%	5.7%

Source: SHEV.io

Exports bananas from Eastern Africa

Exports in kind, K t

Banana exports from Eastern Africa have risen for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the region exported 133.5 thousand tonnes of bananas, marking a 21.9% increase compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, exports surged by 1 323.5%, with a compound annual growth rate of 142.4%.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	978.4%	8.3%	21.9%	142.4%

Source: SHEV.io

From 2017 to 2020, South Africa remained the primary market for banana exports in volume terms, accounting for 86.9% of total flows. The remaining volume was distributed among numerous other destinations.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io

Exports in value, K $ US

Foreign banana supplies from Eastern Africa have increased for the third year in a row. In 2020, exports reached 38 318 thousand US dollars, showing a sharp rise of 41.6% compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports grew by 1 300.7%, equating to an annualized rate of 141.1%.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	757.7%	15.3%	41.6%	141.1%

Source: SHEV.io

Throughout 2017–2020, South Africa continued to be the main destination for banana exports in value terms, capturing 85.0% of total flows. The rest was spread across various smaller markets.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io

Imports bananas to Eastern Africa

Imports in kind, K t

The market exhibited volatility during these years. Import volumes reached their lowest point in 2017 and peaked in 2019, with a 21-fold difference between these extremes. In 2020, cross-border banana shipments to Eastern Africa totaled 0.6 thousand tonnes, representing a dramatic decline of 56.1% compared to the previous year. The highest volume was recorded in 2019 at 1.3 thousand tonnes, while the largest increase occurred in 2018 with a growth of 769.6%.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	769.6%	140.3%	(56.1%)	109.3%

Source: SHEV.io

From 2017 to 2020, South Africa remained the leading supplier of bananas to Eastern Africa in volume terms, holding a 2.1% share of total imports.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io

Imports in value, K $ US

Banana import volumes in Eastern Africa have increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports amounted to 1 064 thousand US dollars, reflecting a significant rise of 11.4% relative to the prior year. Over the period 2017–2020, imports grew by 252.3%, with a compound annual growth rate of 52.2%.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	201.6%	4.9%	11.4%	52.2%

Source: SHEV.io

In 2017–2020, South Africa and France formed the leading pair of markets for banana imports to Eastern Africa in value terms, with shares of 5.3% and 1.3% of total flows, respectively.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io