Banana and Plantain Market Overview in Congo

In 2019, the Congolese banana and plantain market increased by % to $, rising for the fourth consecutive year after three years of decline. Over the period under review, consumption saw a relatively flat trend pattern. Banana and plantain consumption peaked at $ in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2019, consumption remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, banana and plantain production skyrocketed to $ in 2019 estimated in export prices. Over the period under review, production showed modest growth. Banana and plantain production peaked at $ in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2019, production failed to regain the momentum.

In 2019, the average yield of bananas and plantains in Congo contracted to tonnes per ha, leveling off at the previous year's figure. Overall, the yield continues to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2010 when the yield increased by % y-o-y. The banana and plantain yield peaked at tonnes per ha in 2008; however, from 2009 to 2019, the yield remained at a lower figure. Despite the increased use of modern agricultural techniques and methods, future yield figures may still be impacted by adverse weather conditions.

In 2019, approx. ha of bananas and plantains were harvested in Congo; therefore, remained relatively stable against the previous year. Over the period under review, the harvested area continues to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2009 with an increase of % y-o-y. The banana and plantain harvested area peaked at ha in 2015; however, from 2016 to 2019, the harvested area stood at a somewhat lower figure.

In 2019, consumption of bananas and plantains decreased by % to tonnes, falling for the fifth consecutive year after eight years of growth. Over the period under review, consumption showed a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2008 with an increase of % against the previous year. Banana and plantain consumption peaked at tonnes in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2019, consumption stood at a somewhat lower figure.

The revenue of the banana and plantain market in Congo surged to $ in 2019, rising by % against the previous year. This figure reflects the total revenues of producers and importers (excluding logistics costs, retail marketing costs, and retailers' margins, which will be included in the final consumer price). Overall, consumption continues to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. Banana and plantain consumption peaked at $ in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2019, consumption remained at a lower figure.

Depressed by shrinking demand for banana and plantain in Congo, the market is expected to continue its downward consumption trend over the next decade. The performance of the market is forecast to contract with an anticipated CAGR of -% for the period from 2019 to , which is projected to depress the market volume to tonnes by the end of .

Over the period under review, imports of banana and plantain in Congo were negligibly small compared to the production volumes. Therefore, the share of imports in the total market was practically nonexistent, both in volume and in value terms. This situation has remained constant over the period under review, which means that domestic producers entirely meet the domestic demand for banana and plantain.

This tangible trade surplus reflects the fact that the market remains buoyed by domestic production, and the industry is highly incorporated into the global market, which is likely to continue in the medium term.