Banana volume edges lower in 2021, but the organic category shows growth
Import volume of U.S. conventional bananas declined 1% in 2021, while the volume of fresh organic banana imports rose 5%, according to the USDA.
Trade data shows that U.S. conventional banana imports totaled 4.08 million metric tons, down 1% from 4.14 million metric tons in 2020 and down 3% from 4.21 million metric tons in 2019.
The organic sector showed growth, with U.S. imports of fresh organic bananas pegged at 555,222 metric tons in 2021, up 5% from 529,579 metric tons in 2020 and up 20% from 462,514 metrics tons in 2019.
The value of U.S. conventional fresh banana imports totaled $1.88 billion for 2021, unchanged from 2020. The value of U.S. organic fresh banana imports was $323 million in 2021, up 3% compared with 2020.
On a unit basis, the USDA said the value of U.S. conventional banana imports was $461 per metric ton (20.9 cents per pound), up 1% compared with 2020. The value of U.S. organic banana imports was $582 per metric ton (26 cents per pound), down 2% from 2020, according to USDA trade numbers.
Leading 2021 suppliers of conventional fresh bananas to the U.S., and their volume change compared with 2020, were:
- Guatemala: 1.91 million metric tons, up 2%;
- Costa Rica: 814,151 metric tons, down 4%;
- Ecuador: 448,557 metric tons, up 3%;
- Honduras:288,500 metric tons, down 40%;
- Mexico: 274,457 metric tons, up 3%;
- Colombia: 235,184 metric tons, up 19%;
- Panama: 88,934 metric tons, up 216%;
- Nicaragua: 11,676 metric tons, up 66%;
- Peru: 3,731 metric tons, up 44%;
- Dominican Republic: 238 metric tons, down 66%; and
- Brazil: 104 metric tons, up 131%.
Leading U.S. suppliers of fresh organic bananas in 2021, and their percentage change compared with 2019, were:
- Ecuador: 235,887 metric tons, unchanged;
- Mexico: 138,432 metric tons, up 6%;
- Colombia:103,429 metric tons, up 19%;
- Peru: 74,096 metric tons, up 2%;
- Dominican Republic: 3,293 metric tons, up 26%;
- Guatemala: 76 metric tons; no volume in 2019; and
- Costa Rica: 6.9 metric tons, down 60%.
