Which Country is the Largest Producer of Bananas in the World?

Top Banana Producer: Indians grow more bananas than any other nation in the world. Bananas are grown in many states in India, but the highest producing include Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra, and Andhra Pradesh. Read below for more information regarding this widely loved fruit that is packed with nutrition and is recognised throughout the world.

Read More:  Which Country is the Largest Producer of Mango in the World? Check List Here

Which Country is the Most Significant Producer of Bananas in the World?

India is the highest producer of bananas. Tamil Nadu is the Indian state that produces the most bananas, providing over 30% of India's total output with over 8 million metric tonnes grown annually. The state's climate, soil type, and traditional farming practices provide good conditions in southern India to cultivate bananas in large quantities. Tamil Nadu is home to three popular varieties of bananas, which include Robusta, Rasthali and Nendran. These varieties are exported to several nations throughout the world.

How Many Bananas Does India Produce?

India grows over 33 million metric tonnes of bananas each year from extensive cultivation throughout the nation. India is the number one banana producer in the world. Bananas are cultivated throughout the year and are an important food staple in the Indian diet. Some popular Indian cultivars are Grand Naine (G-9), Poovan, and Nendran. Bananas are consumed in every form, from snack foods to traditional Indian sweets.

Top 7 Banana Producing Countries in The World

Note: These numbers are based on recent data from 2023–2024, primarily sourced from the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) and World Population Review.

India

India, the largest producer of bananas in the world, produces approximately 33 million metric tonnes of bananas per year. Bananas are grown across the country because of the suitable climate and soils for bananas. Indian bananas are popular for being sweet and soft, as well as having a longer shelf life. Bananas are a daily fruit item in many households across India and are used in traditional meals, sweets, religious offerings, etc.

China

China is the second largest banana producer, producing about 12 million metric tonnes. The typical banana-growing regions are in Guangdong, Guangxi, and Yunnan. China has large commercial banana farms and is focused on science-based agricultural practices to improve disease resistance and increase overall crop yield.

Indonesia

Indonesia produces about 8.9 million metric tonnes of bananas annually. Due to its hot and humid tropical climate conditions, Indonesia can cultivate bananas throughout the year. Banana producers in Indonesia are generally smallholder farmers. The main banana varieties grown in Indonesia are Pisang Raja and Cavendish, which are popular domestically and internationally.

Brazil

Brazil is the fourth largest banana producer globally, producing approximately 6.8 million metric tonnes of bananas every year. Bananas are grown primarily in the southeastern and northeastern areas of the country. Brazil has a strong domestic market and is producing more enhanced varieties, including Prata and Nanica.

Ecuador

Ecuador ranks fifth, producing about 6.6 million metric tonnes annually. Unlike some other top producers, Ecuador is the largest exporter of bananas in the world, sending huge quantities to the US, the EU, and Russia. Ecuador’s banana industry is highly organised and export-focused.

Philippines

The Philippines is a significant banana producer, with an annual production ranging from 5.9 to 6.4 million metric tonnes. The country is a major exporter of bananas, particularly to Asian markets like China and Japan, with Cavendish being the dominant variety. However, the industry faces challenges such as the spread of Panama disease (TR4) and adverse weather conditions, which have impacted export volumes in recent years. Davao Region is the largest banana-producing area in the country.

Colombia

Colombia produces an estimated 2.0 to 3.5 million metric tonnes of bananas annually. The country's banana industry is highly export-orientated, with Europe, the United States, and the United Kingdom being primary destinations. Colombia has seen robust growth in productivity and exports, even exceeding $1 billion in banana exports for the first time in 2024. Major producing regions include Urabá, Magdalena, and La Guajira, which benefit from favourable climatic conditions and well-established infrastructure.

Read More: Which Country is the Largest Producer of Oranges in the World?

Which Other Countries Have Banana Production?

After India, countries like the Philippines, Colombia, Thailand, Vietnam, and Costa Rica are also major banana producers. These nations have tropical climates and invest heavily in banana farming and export. Many of these countries focus on the Cavendish variety due to its global popularity and durability for shipping.

Amazing Facts about Banana 

- They're Herbs, Not Trees! Despite their height, banana plants are the world's largest herbs, not woody trees.

- It's a Berry! Botanically, a banana is classified as a berry, developing from a single flower with tiny inner seeds.

- They Grow Upwards. Bananas grow against gravity, curving towards the sun, a process called negative geotropism.

-Most Are Seedless. The common yellow banana you eat is sterile and cloned from parent plants, lacking viable seeds.

- Over 1,000 Varieties Exist. Beyond the Cavendish, there are thousands of unique banana types, including red and blue varieties!

Read More:  Which Country is the Largest Producer of Strawberries in the World?