Which Country Exports the Most Bananas in the World?

Tropical And Subtropical Fruits February 01, 2018

Blog Blog / Agriculture / Tropical And Subtropical Fruits

Author: Anna Sergeeva

PositionMarket Analyst

Global banana exports amounted to 20,249 thousand tonnes in 2015, reducing by -10.4% against the previous year level. Overall, the global banana exports indicated a moderate growth from 2007 to 2015. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticable fluctuations throughout the analyzed period. The total export volume increased at an average annual rate of +0.9% over the last eight years.

The growth pace was the most rapid in 2014, when the output figure increased by +8% from the previous year level. In that year, the global banana exports attained its maximum volume of 22,588 thousand tonnes, falling back in the following year.

In value terms, global exports amounted to $9,791 million in 2015. Overall, the value of global exports increased tangibly from 2007 to 2015, expanding at an average annual rate of +4.2%. This trend pattern, however, indicated relatively mild fluctuations throughout the analyzed period.

Top Banana Exporting Countries in the World

1. Ecuador (6288K Tonnes)

2. Guatemala (2334K Tonnes)

3. Costa Rica (1978K Tonnes)

4. Colombia (1684K Tonnes)

5. Philippines (1223K Tonnes)

6. Belgium (1151K Tonnes)

7. Honduras (690K Tonnes)

Banana Imports By Country

The country with the largest volume of the banana exports in absolute volumes was Ecuador (6,288 thousand tonnes), accounting for 31% of global exports. It was followed by Guatemala (2,334 thousand tonnes), with a share of 12% of global exports. Moreover, banana exports in Ecuador exceeded the figures recorded by the world's second largest exporter, Guatemala, threefold. The third position in this ranking was occupied by Costa Rica with a share of 10%.

From 2007 to 2015, an average annual growth rate of banana exports in Ecuador stood at +2.2%. The remaining exporting countries recorded the following average annual growth rates: Guatemala (+5.4% per year) and Costa Rica (-1.9% per year).

In value terms, the country with the largest volume of exports of banana in absolute volumes was Ecuador (2,820 million USD), making up 29% of global exports. The second position in the ranking was occupied by Belgium (947 million USD), with a share of 10% of global exports. Moreover, banana exports in Ecuador exceeded the figures recorded by the world's second largest importer, Belgium (947 million USD), threefold. It was followed by Costa Rica with a share of 9%.

From 2007 to 2015, an average annual growth rate of banana exports in Ecuador was at +10.1%. The remaining exporting countries experienced the following average annual growth rates: Belgium (-3.9% per year) and Costa Rica (+2.4% per year).

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