Banana markets worldwide are showing mixed trends as contract negotiations, import shifts, and seasonal transitions shape supply and pricing. Dutch importers are finalizing next year's contracts amid pressure from Ecuadorian growers to raise prices, while European markets face weaker demand after a temporary price rise.
Italy's market remains stable with strong wholesale prices, though logistics continue to challenge traders, and Sicily has launched its first local Chiquita banana project. In Spain, prices are recovering after a weak summer, but for the first time since 1993, imported bananas have surpassed Canary Islands fruit in market share.
© Viola van den Hoven-Katsman | FreshPlaza.com
German prices remain stable with balanced supply and demand, offering little reason for adjustment. In France, high banana arrivals from Colombia and Africa in September outpaced demand, leading to downward price pressure.
In North America, tariffs and price hikes have pushed many consumers toward conventional bananas as organic sales decline. South African prices are beginning to ease with the arrival of summer fruit, though quality remains high despite earlier weather-related challenges. Banana exports from India remain strong, supported by steady Middle Eastern demand and growing European interest.
The Netherlands: Banana contract negotiations underway again
Negotiations for next year's banana contracts are already in full swing. "Typically, the organic segment is the first to finalize annual price agreements, followed later by the conventional market," says a Dutch importer. "Overall, we see the banana trade increasingly shifting towards contract-based sales. Even in the former Eastern Bloc countries, buyers are seeking more price stability, although the spot market there remains important. At the same time, many growers are taking the opposite approach, showing less interest in long-term commitments after earning good money from the strong spot market in recent months."
"How sustainable that is in the longer term remains to be seen," the importer continues. "At the Fruit Attraction trade fair in Madrid, Ecuadorian exporters were unanimous in their view that prices need to rise substantially. They all want better returns for their bananas, and understandably so. Ecuador has been facing a prolonged cold front for the past five months, which has sharply reduced production volumes. Costa Rica's output has also been below normal levels."
"However," he adds, "exporters also came to realize that the European market isn't performing particularly well. After the traditionally quiet summer period, prices did pick up for a while, but have since weakened again. Current green banana prices are hovering between €12.50 and €14 per box, so the market is far from buoyant."
Italy: Stable market and new Sicilian production
The Italian market is currently stable. According to a major trader from northern Italy, wholesale prices for non-branded bananas remain good at around €17–19 per box. Prices for Ecuadorian bananas are extremely high, and no one is signing fixed-price contracts because spot market prices are much higher. In Ecuador, bananas are sold for about €11.20 per box at origin, excluding transportation costs. As a result, buyers are turning to alternative origins, which is considered reasonable since all parts of the supply chain need to make a profit, not just the final stage.
The main issue continues to be international logistics, with shipments arriving irregularly and late due to port inefficiencies and logistical difficulties.
At the beginning of week 43, banana prices remain consistent across Italy's major wholesale markets. In Verona, prevailing prices range from €1.18/kg for brands such as Bonita, S.C.B., Simba, Tropico, and U.T.C., to €1.54/kg for Chiquita; Dole and Orsero are priced at €1.33/kg. In Rome, standard Cavendish bananas are priced around €1.30/kg, while Chiquita and plantains are both at €1.60/kg. In Turin, Cavendish bananas are also priced at €1.30/kg, with Chiquita bananas at €1.55/kg and plantains stable at €1.60/kg.
For the first time, Chiquita bananas will be cultivated in Italy, specifically in Sicily. This project combines local agricultural practices with international expertise. In October 2025, 20,000 organic plants were planted, and the first fruits are expected to be available in 2026 in major retail outlets.
Spain: Imports surpass local fruit for the first time since 1993
The Canary Islands banana market continues to recover after several months of low prices during the summer. In week 42, prices rose again by 11.55%, reaching nearly €1.00 per kilo — a level that covers production costs estimated between €0.70 and €0.80 per kilo. The sector expects prices to continue increasing through autumn and winter, when demand typically strengthens. Supply remains limited this year, which could further support price stability.
According to market reports, between January and August 2025, imported bananas achieved a greater share in the Iberian Peninsula market than Canary Islands bananas for the first time since the sector's liberalization in 1993. Canary Islands fruit accounted for 49% of the total supply in Spain and the Balearic Islands, while imports, mainly from Central America and West Africa, reached 51%.
Banana production in the archipelago decreased during the first eight months of the year, partly due to adverse weather conditions. As a result, shipments to the mainland fell below 200 million kilos. In contrast, banana imports exceeded 225 million kilos over the same period, reversing last year's trend when domestic bananas dominated the market.
Germany: Balanced market with stable prices
Supply and demand were largely in balance, giving traders little reason to adjust their previous pricing. Overall, prices remain at the same level as during the same period last year.
So far, 2025 has been a challenging year for banana traders. Prices for green bananas have at times reached record highs. For many consumers, conventional organic bananas continue to serve as a more affordable alternative to organic Fairtrade or Demeter bananas.
France: High arrivals and limited demand pressure prices
Banana supplies remained high in September. Colombia continued shipments at a steady rate, with arrivals about 15% above the average of previous years. Volumes from Costa Rica decreased, while African arrivals began their seasonal increase, supported by slightly higher production in the Ivory Coast. Shipments from the French island also rebounded.
Demand improved with the start of the school year and the reduced availability of stone fruit, leading to an initial rise in prices. However, by the end of the month, an imbalance between supply and demand emerged, and prices declined due to insufficient demand relative to available volumes.
North America: Tariffs and price adjustments affect banana demand
Banana supply remains good across all producing countries, which are currently at the peak of their seasons. However, tariff-related shifts have affected market dynamics.
All producing countries have experienced tariff impacts on pricing, except Mexico, which has not increased its banana prices in line with other suppliers. Fairtrade prices have risen by €0.55–0.65, while Ecuador also raised its minimum banana price by a similar margin, both before the tariff changes. As a result, many U.S. retailers have increased the minimum suggested retail price by €0.09–0.18 per kilogram.
Organic banana sales have declined by around 30–35% for many U.S. retailers, suggesting that some consumers may have shifted to conventional bananas. Overall demand in the past eight weeks has been moderate, remaining steady but below typical seasonal levels.
South Africa: Banana prices ease as summer fruit enters the market
Banana prices, which have remained high in recent weeks, are starting to come under pressure due to increased availability of summer fruits such as peaches, nectarines, and litchis, with mangoes and table grapes soon to follow. According to a banana trader, this trend is typical for the season, and by mid-November, higher banana volumes are expected to push prices down further.
At Gauteng wholesale markets, medium-sized bananas are priced at approximately €9.98 (R200) per 18 kg box, large sizes at €11.48 (R230), and extra-large between €11.96 and €12.41 (R240–R250). Data from the Joburg Market indicates that the main-traded 18 kg box currently equates to €0.50 (R10.78) per kilogram.
"The banana market has been pretty strong over the last three seasons," says a banana grower. "It started a bit slowly this year, as it had been a fairly cold winter, and we had an unusual amount of wind, resulting in leaf damage."
The quality of bananas arriving at the market is reported to be high, according to the trader.
India: Middle East demand, new markets support growth
India's banana exports remain firm through late 2025, with steady shipments from key producing regions such as Jalgaon and Solapur in Maharashtra. Export volumes have increased by around 15% this quarter, supported by consistent demand from the Middle East and growing interest from European buyers.
Farm-level prices range between €0.19 and €0.26 per kilogram, while export quality remains stable despite earlier weather challenges. Excess rainfall earlier in the season led to localised disease pressure. Cooler post-Diwali temperatures in the coming weeks may affect ripening quality. Growers continue implementing field-level precautions to prevent chilling injury, including irrigation adjustments and temperature management in orchards.
Indian exporters remain confident about maintaining export momentum, supported by new demand from Russia and diversification efforts targeting premium markets. Government research initiatives, such as the National Research Centre for Bananas' development of improved varieties like Kaveri Kanchan and Kaveri Vamanan, are expected to improve fruit quality and resilience.
With stable supply and expanding overseas interest, India's banana exports are projected to remain strong into early 2026, driven by sustained Middle Eastern demand and opportunities in emerging markets.
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