The supply of Canary Islands bananas remains at very low levels for this time of year, with consumer prices ranging between €3.70 and €5.00 per kilo. Production started falling in mid-March due to weather-related factors, and this has resulted in a considerable market gap, which will start to be corrected ahead of summer. In the meantime, large Spanish distributors are trying to fill this gap with more banana imports, even though Canary and imported bananas are two different product categories.

“In May, around 7,500 tons of Canary bananas usually arrive in mainland Spain every week, but we currently stand below 5,000 tons. This is something that doesn’t usually happen; not even in August, when banana sales usually fall,” says José María Ruiz, Manager of Plátanos Ruiz, a company specializing in the ripening and distribution of bananas in the wholesale market of Mercabarna, in Barcelona.

“There have been disruptions in banana production ever since the eruption of the volcano on the island of La Palma at the end of 2021. We had some overproduction at the end of last year and the beginning of 2025, and this year’s colder and rainier winter has delayed the harvest, creating a significant gap,” says Ruiz. “Last year, there was a short period of shortages with record-high prices, but this year the situation has lasted several months.”

Therefore, the demand for Canary bananas is far higher than the supply. “There isn’t a lot of summer fruit available yet, and it’s still rather expensive, so there aren’t many alternatives,” says Ruiz. “Large Spanish retailers are trying to make up for this to some extent with more banana imports, but their supply has also dropped in recent months due to the impact of the weather in various countries, as well as logistical problems.”

According to the trader, the market will regain some stability this summer, as school holidays begin and demand usually drops. “From September onwards, the balance between supply and demand could be restored. Production is expected to increase by then, and when the new school year starts, we’ll see whether supply is adequate,” says José María Ruiz.

For more information:
José María Ruiz
Plátanos Ruiz
Mercabarna, Longitudinal. 7, no 122
08040 Barcelona, Spain
Tel.: +34 933361411
[email protected]
www.platanosruiz.com