Bananas market in Southern Asia

Earlier Report Observations

The banana market volume in Southern Asia, led by India, started at 32.1 million tonnes in 2018. Promotion of private investment in hi-tech horticulture, including micro-propagation, protected cultivation, and advanced post-harvest technologies, provided a foundation for modern banana cultivation. After stabilizing at 31.8 million tonnes in 2019, the market grew to 33.9 million tonnes in 2020.

Growth continued from 2021, influenced by rising global banana production which affected Indian export dynamics. The emergence of value-added products such as vacuum-fried banana chips, dried banana, and banana flour enhanced market value and shelf life. Improved farming techniques, including tissue-culture saplings, drip irrigation, and organic farming, were adopted to increase yields and quality. Consequently, the market volume reached 34.5 million tonnes in 2021, 36.0 million tonnes in 2022, and 38.2 million tonnes in 2023.

In 2024, India actively explored new export markets such as the US, Russia, Japan, and several European countries. Regulatory adherence to food product standards and competitive export advantages, including lower delivery times compared to major suppliers like Ecuador, supported ongoing export growth, indicating sustained momentum in the banana sector.

Production bananas in Southern Asia

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of bananas, 2017-2020

World map of production of bananas, 2017-2020

In Southern Asia, banana production reached 33 958 thousand tonnes in 2020, marking a modest year-over-year increase of 6.6%. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 6.8%, which translates to an average annual growth rate of 2.2%. The most significant decline occurred in 2019, with a decrease of 0.9%.

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

Exports bananas from Southern Asia

Exports in kind, t

The market performance for banana exports from Southern Asia showed noticeable fluctuations during this period. The minimum volume was recorded in 2017, while the maximum was reached in 2019, with a 145-fold difference between these two years. In 2020, banana shipments from Southern Asia to international markets amounted to 41 388 tonnes, representing a 14.8% decrease compared to the previous year. The largest increase was observed in 2018, with a growth of 10 758.9%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the main cluster of markets for banana exports in kind from Southern Asia consisted of Uzbekistan, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates. Uzbekistan accounted for 4.4% of exports in kind, Saudi Arabia for 1.5%, and the United Arab Emirates for 1.3%. Together, these three countries represented 7.3% of total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

After two consecutive years of growth, banana exports from Southern Asia in value terms declined in 2020. The export volume totaled 25 654 thousand US dollars, down by 25.5% compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports increased by 41.5%, corresponding to an average annual growth rate of 12.3%. The maximum value was recorded in 2019 at 34 435 thousand US dollars, while the largest increase occurred in 2018 with a rise of 61.3%.

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

In value terms, the country composition of banana exports from Southern Asia from 2017 to 2020 was highly dispersed. Saudi Arabia accounted for 4.1% of exports in value, the United Arab Emirates for 3.5%, and Uzbekistan for 3.4%. Together, these three countries formed just 11.1% of total flows, with the remaining 88.9% distributed among a wide range of other destinations.

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

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

Imports bananas to Southern Asia

Imports in kind, t

The data on banana imports in kind to Southern Asia reveals irregular changes, indicating a volatile market environment. The minimum volume was recorded in 2017, while the maximum was reached in 2019, with a 316-fold difference between these years. In 2020, cross-border shipments of bananas to Southern Asia totaled 17 937 tonnes, showing a decrease of 21.0% compared to the previous year. The largest increase was observed in 2018, with a growth of 14 936.2%.

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

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Southern Asia's banana imports in value terms increased for the third consecutive year in 2020. The import volume stood at 37 371 thousand US dollars, corresponding to a year-over-year increase of 102.6%. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports grew by 625.2%, which translates to an average annual growth rate of 93.6%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the United Arab Emirates played the leading role in banana imports in value terms to Southern Asia, accounting for 2.8% of total import flows.

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

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