Bananas market in Kenya

Earlier Report Observations

Banana production in Kenya increased steadily from 1 414 thousand tons in 2018 to 2 053 thousand tons in 2022. This growth was initially supported by rising local and international demand for bananas, coupled with the adoption of modern farming techniques like drip irrigation to enhance water efficiency. The expanding market for processed banana products, such as flour and chips, further stimulated production.

In 2021, despite facing challenges from climate change and fungal diseases like Fusarium TR4, the introduction of high-yielding hybrid banana varieties, such as FHIA, and initiatives by the Kenya Agricultural Livestock and Research Organization (KALRO) to disseminate clean planting materials helped maintain production growth.

Production declined to 1 779 thousand tons in 2023. In subsequent years, the industry grappled with climate change impacts, rising input costs, and reduced consumer purchasing power. Meanwhile, long-term developments included the opening of new export markets like South Korea for green bananas, promoting farmer diversification, and the increased use of tissue culture banana varieties and value-added products like banana flour and juice to improve marketability and incomes.

Production bananas in Kenya

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Globally, Kenya ranked as the 17th largest producer of bananas during the 2017-2020 period.

Top producers of bananas, 2017-2020

World map of production of bananas, 2017-2020

Kenya's banana production increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, the country produced 1 857 thousand tonnes of bananas, marking an 8.2% rise compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 29.5%, which translates to an average annual growth rate of 9.0%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2018 at 1 414 thousand tonnes. That year also saw the largest decline of 1.4%. In contrast, 2019 experienced the most significant increase of 21.3%.

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

Exports bananas from Kenya

Exports in kind, t

The data shows irregular changes, indicating a volatile market environment. Exports reached their lowest point in 2019 and peaked in 2017, with an 8.7-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Kenya exported 15 tonnes of bananas, representing a dramatic 28.0% increase compared to 2019. The minimum export volume was recorded in 2019 at 12 tonnes. The largest decline occurred in 2018, with a drop of 81.4%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Egypt (28.6% of exports in kind), Somalia (28.5% of exports in kind), and Norway (14.8% of exports in kind) together accounted for 71.8% of total banana exports from Kenya, making them the main destinations.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

The market displayed signs of volatility during the observed period. Exports varied significantly, with a 4.3-fold difference between the peak in 2017 and the trough in 2019. In 2020, Kenya's banana exports totaled 27.4 thousand US dollars, which is 30.1% higher than the previous year. The minimum value was recorded in 2019 at 21.1 thousand US dollars. The largest decline occurred in 2018, with a decrease of 73.1%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Norway (34.3% of exports in value terms), Somalia (28.6% of exports in value terms), and Egypt (13.5% of exports in value terms) were the largest buyers of Kenyan bananas, together constituting 76.4% of total export value.

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

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

Imports bananas to Kenya

Imports in kind, t

The market exhibited an unstable trend throughout the timeframe. Imports reached their lowest point in 2019 and peaked in 2018, with a 5 291-fold difference between these years. In 2020, banana shipments to Kenya from abroad totaled 4 tonnes, which is 718.0% higher year-over-year. The minimum import volume was recorded in 2019 at 0.5 tonnes, while the maximum was in 2018 at 2 510 tonnes. The largest decline occurred in 2019, with a drop of 100.0%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, bananas imported into Kenya came primarily from Uganda, which accounted for 99.6% of total imports in kind.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Volatility characterized the market behavior during these years. Imports varied widely, with an 83-fold difference from the high in 2018 to the low in 2019. In 2020, Kenya's banana imports amounted to 6.6 thousand US dollars, representing a steep 137.8% increase year-over-year. The minimum value was recorded in 2019 at 2.8 thousand US dollars, while the maximum was in 2018 at 230.1 thousand US dollars. The largest decline occurred in 2019, with a decrease of 98.8%.

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

Throughout 2017-2020, imports in value terms were heavily concentrated on Uganda, which accounted for 91.7% of total flows.

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

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