India's banana sector continues to solidify its export potential despite a challenging 2025 season. Unseasonal rains and pricing pressures tested growers, but strategic adaptations kept exports on track. Faina Universal Co., an exporter based in Mumbai, navigated these hurdles by leveraging new production zones and tapping emerging markets.
"The 2024–25 season saw a steady performance, though weather disruptions posed challenges. But thanks to strong domestic support and export market adjustments, our growers and partners navigated it well," notes Amir Karimi from Faina's export team. "Unseasonal rains in Maharashtra and Karnataka impacted fruit quality during November and March harvests, redirecting some premium bananas to India's domestic market. Fortunately, strong local demand supported growers," he added, highlighting that retail appetite absorbed the surplus, stabilizing farmer incomes.
According to Amir, production gains in Gujarat and Maharashtra drove export volumes. "Gujarat's adoption of tissue culture plants, drip irrigation, and precision farming yielded 66 tons per hectare, double the national average. The state is driving yield growth faster than any other," he said, pointing to Bharuch and Anand as key areas for scalable production in the future. "These advances helped offset weather-related setbacks, ensuring supply for export markets like the UAE, Oman, Iraq, and Iran."
Amir also stated how pricing dynamics varied across export regions: "In Iraq, competition from Ecuador and Latin America forced lower prices, but traditional markets like Iran and Oman offered better returns for our branded bananas marketed under Nova Fresh."
"The Grand Nain or G9 Cavendish remained the dominant export variety, grown widely in Maharashtra, Gujarat, and Madhya Pradesh. However, the smaller, aromatic Yelakki banana gained traction in Qatar and Kuwait, driven by its taste and shelf appeal. Yelakki is a standout in terms of customer satisfaction," Amir reports, noting increased air freight volumes to meet Gulf demand.
In terms of demand trends, Amir stated that export enquiries surged from January to April 2025, fueled by pre-Ramadan and summer demand. "We saw increased loading activity from Week 4 to Week 16, especially to Iraq and Iran," crediting container planning and packhouse efficiency for quality maintenance. "New markets also emerged, with Jordan receiving its first commercial shipments in May 2025. Our bananas were well received by Jordanian wholesalers," he confirmed, eyeing long-term growth. Amir also stated that Russia's enquiries post-April suggest potential, though freight costs and cold-chain limits persist.
"Looking ahead, disciplined quality control and logistics will shape India's banana exports. Indian bananas have a strong future globally, but only with a disciplined approach to quality, market timing, and logistics," Amir concludes.
For more information:
Amir Karimi
Faina Universal Co.
Tel: +919320005152
Email: [email protected]
https://fainauniversal.com/
Pawan Singh
Faina Universal Co.
Tel: +919022206654
Email: [email protected]
https://fainauniversal.com/