The 10 countries that export the most bananas in the world make up over 81% of the total bananas exported globally, representing their power in the banana export trade. While the banana export trade may seem trivial in nature, it is actually a huge industry in itself, with the exports totaling over $14 billion in the year 2014 alone, which saw an increase of 8.1% from the previous year.
Contrary to popular belief, bananas, one of the most delicious fruits in the world, does not grows on plants but instead grows on trees. While the shape of the fruit can differ from region to region and plant to plant, but it is generally curvaceous and long in shape. Bananas are one of the most popular fruits in the world, and due to the fact that they do not require very specific conditions to be grown in, are grown all over the world, with plantations being present in at least 107 countries.
The primary use of bananas is, of course, consumption by people, as it is famous for its sweetness, while to a lesser extent, it is also used to make banana wine, banana beer, fiber and ornamental plants as well. In fact, bananas are mostly grown in tropical countries where they are considered to be an integral source of starch for the population living there. Not only is the inner part of the banana eatable, its skin can be consumed too.
Bananas are used in a variety of dishes worldwide, from being fried to being made into jams and also baked into pancakes. India, unsurprisingly, is the largest producer of bananas in the world, producing nearly a fifth of all the bananas produced in the world. However, it does not feature on this list as nearly all of the bananas produced are consumed locally. The second biggest produced or bananas is the Philippines which produces 7% of the global banana production. Some of the largest producers of bananas are also some of the largest exporters of bananas and are included in both lists, such as Colombia, Ecuador, and the Philippines.
Exports of bananas have dominated Central American history, along with the export of coffee as well. For more information, you can visit the 10 countries that export the most coffee in the world. In fact, in the 1930s, exports of both coffee and bananas made up more than three-fourths of all exports in the region. Some countries, such as Honduras, Costa Rica, and Panama have been called banana republics due to the fact that their economies were significantly dependent on the export of bananas.
Most of the countries from South America tend to export their bananas to Europe. Since the European climate is not receptive to the growth of bananas, they have to import the fruit which is why you will only find 2 countries from Europe on this list.
In order to compile the list of 10 countries that export the most bananas in the world, we consulted the WTEx which has the list of countries with the highest export of bananas in US dollars. Without further ado, here is our ranking, starting from number 10:
10. Netherlands
Exports of bananas in 2014 in US dollars: $253.6 million
9. Dominican Republic
Exports of bananas in 2014 in US dollars: $331.6 million
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8. Germany
Exports of bananas in 2014 in US dollars: $367 million
7. The United States of America
Exports of bananas in 2014 in US dollars: $470.2 million
6. Guatemala
Exports of bananas in 2014 in US dollars: $721.4 million
5. Colombia
Exports of bananas in 2014 in US dollars: $835.5 million
4. Costa Rica
Exports of bananas in 2014 in US dollars: $907.7 million
3. Philippines
Exports of bananas in 2014 in US dollars: $1.1 billion
2. Belgium
Exports of bananas in 2014 in US dollars: $1.3 billion
1. Ecuador
Exports of bananas in 2014 in US dollars: $2.6 billion
As mentioned earlier, Ecuador’s economy is significantly dependent on the production and export of bananas. Ecuador manages to export most of its production of bananas, hence exporting more than twice that of Belgium, which placed in number 2, allowing it top the list of 10 countries that export the most bananas in the world.
