Banana and Plantain Market Overview in Democratic Republic of the Congo

In , the Congolese banana and plantain market increased by % to $, rising for the fourth consecutive year after two years of decline. Over the period under review, consumption saw strong growth. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2010 with an increase of % against the previous year. Over the period under review, the market hit record highs in and is likely to see steady growth in the immediate term.

In value terms, banana and plantain production surged to $ in estimated in export prices. Overall, production enjoyed a buoyant increase. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2010 with an increase of % y-o-y. Over the period under review, production attained the maximum level in and is likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

The average yield of bananas and plantains in Democratic Republic of the Congo fell to tonnes per ha in , flattening at the year before. In general, the yield, however, saw a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2010 with an increase of % y-o-y. The banana and plantain yield peaked at tonnes per ha in 2013; however, from 2014 to , 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.

The banana and plantain harvested area in Democratic Republic of the Congo amounted to ha in , with an increase of % compared with 2019 figures. In general, the harvested area enjoyed resilient growth. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2010 when the harvested area increased by % year-to-year. The banana and plantain harvested area peaked in and is likely to see gradual growth in the immediate term.

In , consumption of bananas and plantains in Democratic Republic of the Congo expanded significantly to tonnes, surging by % compared with the previous year. Overall, consumption continues to indicate a resilient expansion. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2010 with an increase of % against the previous year. Over the period under review, consumption reached the peak volume in and is expected to retain growth in the near future.

The value of the banana and plantain market in Democratic Republic of the Congo surged to $ in , 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). In general, consumption recorded a resilient increase. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2010 when the market value increased by % against the previous year. Banana and plantain consumption peaked in and is likely to see gradual growth in years to come.

Driven by increasing demand for banana and plantain in Democratic Republic of the Congo, the market is expected to continue an upward consumption trend over the next decade. Market performance is forecast to decelerate, expanding with an anticipated CAGR of +% for the period from to , which is projected to bring the market volume to tonnes by the end of .

Over the period under review, imports of banana and plantain in Democratic Republic of the 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.

Democratic Republic of the Congo remains a net importer of banana and plantain; in physical and value terms, imports consistently exceeded exports from 2007 to . In , there was a significant trade deficit of tonnes, which was equal to $-. This tangible trade deficit reflects the fact that the market remains dependent on imports, which is likely to continue in the medium term.