India’s banana exports continue to record strong growth, with export values rising steadily over the past five years, says Shvam Dhumal of Agroindi EXIM Pvt Ltd. “The fruit has become one of India’s fastest-growing fresh produce export categories, even as the industry currently deals with geopolitical tensions, logistics disruptions, and weather-related challenges.”

According to Shvam, “India’s banana export value increased from USD 124.5 million in FY 2021-22 to USD 149 million in FY 2022-23 before surging to USD 255 million in FY 2023-24. Exports reached USD 339 million in FY 2024-25 and further climbed to USD 462 million in FY 2025-26, reflecting an annual growth of 36%.”

The overall sentiment among exporters remains positive, with international demand for Indian bananas continuing to grow, Shvam mentions. “What has driven strong acceptance across global markets is the fruit quality, consistency, and competitive pricing.”

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The Middle East remains India’s most important banana export destination, with Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Oman, Qatar, Bahrain, Iraq, Iran, and Uzbekistan representing key markets. “The Gulf region and Central Asia continue to offer the strongest growth opportunities for Indian bananas. However, the ongoing regional conflict has temporarily created trade setbacks.”

He explains, “A large portion of banana trade depends on routes connected to the Strait of Hormuz, with vessel availability, shipping schedules, freight costs, and overall logistics planning becoming complicated. While buyer demand remains strong, exporters are having to tread carefully with higher costs, shipping delays, and greater uncertainty.”

Shvam highlights that although conditions had begun to stabilize in recent weeks, the latest escalations in the region renewed concerns across the supply chain. “Some importers have started using alternative ports and neighboring countries to maintain supplies, resulting in longer transit times and increased landed costs.”

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Weather has emerged as a second major challenge. “Unseasonal rainfall and strong winds last week caused significant damage in parts of Maharashtra, particularly Jalgaon district, one of India’s most important banana-producing regions. “An estimated 50-60% of plantations in affected areas have suffered damage. This has affected fruit quality and raised concerns about the availability of premium export-grade bananas.”

Exporters expect tighter supplies of high-quality fruit over the next 30 to 45 days. “While production from Nanded has started entering the market and Uttar Pradesh is expected to begin harvesting next month, losses in Maharashtra are likely to keep supplies constrained and prices firm in the short term. Domestic selling prices for bananas are currently ranging between USD 0.2-0.25 per kg, depending on quality, while export prices range from USD 0.25-0.35 per kg.”

As Shvam sums it up, “Global demand for Indian bananas remains strong, and the long-term outlook is positive. If regional tensions ease and shipping conditions stabilize, Indian banana exports have the potential to achieve even greater growth in the years ahead.”

For more information:
Shvam Dhumal
Agroindi EXIM Pvt Ltd
Tel: +91 91 12 200 621
Email: [email protected]
www.agroindi.in