Significant growth in Pakistan's banana industry: Exceeding mango profits in financial yield
In the agricultural heartland of Pakistan, a shift towards banana farming is underway. This transformation, driven by higher returns and consistent demand, is making waves in the industry.
Waheed Ahmed, Patron-in-Chief of the All Pakistan Fruit and Vegetables Exporters, Importers, and Merchants Association, has called for a full value-chain model to reduce post-harvest losses and enhance quality in the banana industry. This move could potentially boost the sector, making it more resilient and competitive.
Banana farming in Pakistan faces fewer challenges compared to mango farming, with fewer issues from climate change, pests, short harvest windows, and high post-harvest losses. This translates into steady cash flow and lower risk for farmers, making banana farming more reliable.
The global banana market is worth a whopping $14 billion, but Pakistan's share in banana exports is minimal, with only $27.4 million in exports. Despite this, banana production has more than doubled in the last 15 years, reaching an all-time high of 317,000 tonnes in 2024-25.
The rise of corporate farms and the adoption of new tissue-culture and disease-resistant varieties have further boosted banana yields in Pakistan. High-yield, fungus-resistant varieties of bananas with longer shelf life contribute to the higher income for farmers.
One such farmer is a Sindh-based producer and exporter who has reported the introduction of high-yield banana varieties and longer shelf life, improving the quality of the produce and increasing its market value. However, experts emphasize the need for Pakistan to improve quality standards and adopt modern farming and packaging techniques to tap into international demand, particularly in the Middle East and Central Asia.
Banana cultivation in Pakistan is the fastest-growing fruit crop, with Sindh accounting for nearly 93% of the cultivation area and 83% of national output. Other regions in Pakistan, such as Balochistan, Punjab, and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, also contribute to banana production but are less significant compared to Sindh.
In 2021-22, banana production surged by over 50% in a single year, and the trend has continued, with production reaching 311,000 tonnes in 2023-24 and 292,000 tonnes in 2022-23. The per-acre income from bananas for farmers has increased significantly, from Rs150,000-200,000 seven years ago to nearly Rs500,000 today.
As the banana industry continues to grow, it presents a promising opportunity for farmers and the economy as a whole. With the implementation of a full value-chain model and improvements in quality standards, Pakistan could potentially increase its share in the global banana market and reap the benefits of this thriving industry.
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