A relatively small group of countries dominates the world’s banana industry. India leads by a wide margin, followed by China and Indonesia.
The latest 2024 FAOSTAT figures show that the top 10 banana-producing countries together account for about seven-tenths of global production. While Asia dominates overall production, Latin America remains especially important to international banana trade.
For anyone comparing banana-producing countries, it is important to distinguish production from exports. The country producing the most bananas is not necessarily the country supplying the most bananas to international markets.
Bananas are among the world’s most widely produced tropical fruits, with major production concentrated in Asia, Africa, and Latin America. India is the world’s largest banana-producing country, followed by China and Indonesia.
| Rank | Country | Production (Million Tonnes) | Main Growing Regions | Major Variety |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | India | 36.6 | Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra, Gujarat, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka | Cavendish, Robusta |
| 2 | China | 12.0 | Guangdong, Guangxi, Hainan, Yunnan | Cavendish |
| 3 | Indonesia | 9.2 | Java, Sumatra, Sulawesi | Pisang Raja, Cavendish |
| 4 | Brazil | 6.8 | Sao Paulo, Bahia, Minas Gerais | Prata, Cavendish |
| 5 | Ecuador | 6.5 | Los Rios, Guayas, El Oro | Cavendish |
| 6 | Philippines | 6.0 | Mindanao, Davao Region | Cavendish |
| 7 | Angola | 4.6 | Bengo, Benguela, Cuanza Sul | Cavendish |
| 8 | Tanzania | 3.5 | Kagera, Kilimanjaro, Mbeya | East African Highland Banana |
| 9 | Guatemala | 3.3 | Izabal, Escuintla | Cavendish |
| 10 | Nigeria | 3.0 | Ondo, Edo, Cross River | Cavendish, Plantain |
| 11 | Colombia | 2.8 | Uraba, Magdalena | Cavendish |
| 12 | Costa Rica | 2.6 | Limon Province | Cavendish |
| 13 | Cameroon | 2.3 | Littoral, Southwest Region | Cavendish |
| 14 | Thailand | 2.1 | Chiang Mai, Nakhon Pathom | Namwa, Cavendish |
| 15 | Mexico | 2.0 | Chiapas, Tabasco | Cavendish |
| 16 | Vietnam | 1.9 | Mekong Delta, Dong Nai | Cavendish |
| 17 | Peru | 1.8 | Piura, Tumbes | Organic Cavendish |
| 18 | Burundi | 1.7 | Central Highlands | Cooking Banana |
| 19 | Rwanda | 1.6 | Northern & Western Provinces | East African Highland Banana |
| 20 | Democratic Republic of the Congo | 1.5 | Equateur, Kongo Central | Plantain, Cavendish |
Source: FAOSTAT, 2024 banana production data. Figures are rounded for readability.
Top 10 Banana-Producing Countries
According to the latest available FAOSTAT production data for 2024, global banana production was about 139.4 million tonnes. India alone produced approximately 37.6 million tonnes, accounting for about 27% of the global total.
1. India
Production: 37.61 million tonnes
India is the world’s largest banana producer by a substantial margin. In 2024, its production was more than three times that of China, the second-largest producer.
Bananas are grown extensively across India’s tropical and subtropical agricultural regions. Unlike some major banana-producing countries that focus heavily on international exports, India has a very large domestic market.
FAO identifies India and China as the largest banana producers, with production primarily oriented toward domestic consumption.
2. China
Production: 11.76 million tonnes
China was the world’s second-largest banana producer in 2024. Banana cultivation is concentrated mainly in China’s warmer southern regions, where the climate suits tropical fruit production.
China’s large population also drives substantial domestic demand, making it an important producer even though it is not one of the world’s leading banana exporters.
3. Indonesia
Production: 9.26 million tonnes
Indonesia ranked third worldwide, producing more than 9 million tonnes of bananas in 2024.
The country’s tropical climate and extensive agricultural areas provide favorable conditions for banana cultivation. Bananas are an important food crop in Indonesia and are grown for both household consumption and commercial markets.
Indonesia also has some of the world’s highest banana yields per hectare, according to FAO-derived yield data.
4. Ecuador
Production: 7.59 million tonnes
Ecuador was the fourth-largest banana producer in 2024, producing about 7.6 million tonnes.
Although Ecuador ranks below India, China, and Indonesia in total production, it remains a key player in the international banana trade. Ecuador is the world’s leading banana exporter by export value, making it one of the most influential countries in the global banana supply chain.
This highlights an important distinction: the world’s largest banana producers are not necessarily its largest exporters.
5. Brazil
Production: 7.05 million tonnes
Brazil produced approximately 7 million tonnes of bananas in 2024, ranking fifth globally.
Its large land area and tropical and subtropical climate allow banana cultivation across several regions. Much of Brazil’s production serves its substantial domestic market.
6. Nigeria
Production: 6.91 million tonnes
Nigeria ranked sixth among the world’s largest banana-producing countries in the 2024 FAOSTAT data, with nearly 6.9 million tonnes of production.
Bananas and related Musa crops are important components of food production in Nigeria and other parts of tropical Africa. Production supports both household consumption and local markets.
7. Philippines
Production: 5.64 million tonnes
The Philippines produced approximately 5.6 million tonnes of bananas in 2024.
Bananas are an important agricultural commodity for the country, and the Philippines is also a major participant in international banana trade. Commercial production includes varieties grown specifically for export markets.
8. Angola
Production: 5.21 million tonnes
Angola ranked eighth worldwide, producing more than 5.2 million tonnes in 2024.
Banana production plays an important role in Angola’s agricultural sector, serving domestic food markets and providing opportunities for commercial agriculture.
9. Tanzania
Production: 3.27 million tonnes
Tanzania produced approximately 3.3 million tonnes of bananas in 2024.
Bananas are an important food crop in several parts of the country and are consumed domestically. Production includes both cooking and dessert varieties.
10. Guatemala
Production: 2.84 million tonnes
Guatemala completed the top 10, with approximately 2.84 million tonnes of banana production in 2024.
Despite producing far less than India, Guatemala remains a major player in the international banana trade. Its proximity to major North American markets and established commercial production systems have made it an important exporter.
Top Banana-Producing Countries Compared
The production figures show how strongly banana production is concentrated among a relatively small number of countries.
India produced about 37.6 million tonnes in 2024—more than China and Indonesia combined. Together, the three largest producers accounted for roughly 42% of global banana production.
The top 10 producers accounted for about 70% of worldwide production, demonstrating the importance of Asia, Africa, and Latin America to global banana supply.
Which Country Produces the Most Bananas?
India is the world’s largest banana-producing country.
India produced about 37.61 million tonnes of bananas in 2024, accounting for about 27% of global production. China ranked second with 11.76 million tonnes, while Indonesia ranked third with 9.26 million tonnes.
Largest Banana Producer vs. Largest Banana Exporter
Production and exports measure a country’s importance in the banana industry in different ways.
India is the world’s largest producer, but it consumes much of its output domestically. Ecuador, meanwhile, produces less than India but plays a much larger role in international banana exports. FAO describes India and China as the largest producers for domestic consumption, while Ecuador is a major export-oriented supplier.
Therefore:
- Largest producer: India
- Second-largest producer: China
- Largest exporter: Ecuador
- Major production regions: Asia, Latin America, and Africa
Where Are Most Bananas Produced?
Bananas are predominantly produced in Asia, Latin America, and Africa. These regions provide the warm temperatures and growing conditions banana plants require.
Asia contains several of the world’s largest producers, including India, China, Indonesia, and the Philippines. Latin America is particularly important to international trade, with Ecuador, Brazil, Guatemala, Colombia, and Costa Rica among the major producers.
African countries, including Nigeria, Angola, Tanzania, and others, also contribute substantially to global production.
Banana Production and Global Trade
Not all bananas enter international markets. A large share of global production is consumed within producing countries, particularly in populous countries such as India and China.
Internationally traded bananas therefore come from a somewhat different group of countries. Ecuador is especially important because of its large export industry and established supply chains serving major importing markets.
This distinction is important when comparing banana-producing countries with banana-exporting countries.
What Is the Source of the Ranking?
This ranking is based on FAOSTAT agricultural production data for 2024, using the FAO banana production series. Production is measured in tonnes and reflects agricultural output, not export volume, export value, harvested area, or yield.
FAO’s banana information also notes that bananas include different cultivars and uses, including dessert and cooking types. Some banana statistics can be limited in comparability because national statistical systems do not always classify related crops the same way.
Primary Data Source
Note: Production volume and value fluctuate with production conditions, market demand, etc.
