Banana and Plantain Market Overview in Democratic Republic of the Congo

For the ninth consecutive year, the Congolese banana and plantain market recorded growth in sales value, which increased by % to $ in . Overall, consumption posted a buoyant increase. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2010 when the market value increased by % y-o-y. Over the period under review, the market reached the maximum level in and is likely to continue growth in the near future.

In value terms, banana and plantain production surged to $ in estimated in export prices. In general, production posted a significant increase. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2010 with an increase of % year-to-year. Banana and plantain production peaked in and is likely to continue growth in years to come.

The average yield of bananas and plantains in Democratic Republic of the Congo dropped to tonnes per ha in , remaining constant against 2019 figures. Over the period under review, the yield, however, saw a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2010 with an increase of % year-to-year. Over the period under review, the average banana and plantain yield attained the peak level at tonnes per ha in 2013; however, from 2014 to , the yield stood at a somewhat lower figure. Despite the increased use of modern agricultural techniques and methods, future yield figures may still be impacted by adverse weather conditions.

In , approx. ha of bananas and plantains were harvested in Democratic Republic of the Congo; increasing by % compared with 2019. Overall, the harvested area showed strong growth. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2010 when the harvested area increased by % year-to-year. The banana and plantain harvested area peaked in and is expected to retain growth in the immediate term.

Banana and plantain consumption in Democratic Republic of the Congo expanded remarkably to tonnes in , with an increase of % on the previous year. In general, consumption enjoyed strong growth. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2010 when the consumption volume increased by % y-o-y. Over the period under review, consumption attained the peak volume in and is likely to see steady growth in the immediate term.

The revenue of the banana and plantain market in Democratic Republic of the Congo soared to $ in , growing 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 showed a prominent increase. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2010 when the market value increased by % y-o-y. Banana and plantain consumption peaked in and is expected to retain growth in the immediate term.

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.

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.