New Delhi, June 21, 2025:
Bananas have officially dethroned grapes to become India’s most exported fruit in FY25, in a shift that highlights both strategic agri-export growth and changing global consumer preferences. According to a Moneycontrol analysis of export data, banana shipments surged to $377.5 million, marking a 29.7% year-on-year (YoY) increase and a seven-fold jump compared to FY18 levels.

The remarkable export rise comes as India leverages its vast banana-growing regions, especially in states like Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat, and Telangana, to meet growing demand in international markets, particularly the Middle East.

Bananas Go Global: From Farms to Puddings and Cookies

Indian bananas, previously seen as primarily a domestic staple, are now being used in a variety of food products abroad, including banana puddings, smoothies, breakfast cereals, and even health-focused cookies. The shift reflects both increased production capacity and the country's ability to deliver competitively priced fruit at scale.

“The low price of Indian bananas has helped support exports. We have also seen increased interest from Middle Eastern countries,” said BV Patil, President of the Banana Grower's Association of India.

Patil emphasized that the combination of climatic adaptability, improved post-harvest handling, and logistics infrastructure has played a major role in catapulting India into the top banana-exporting nations globally.

Bananas vs Grapes: The Export Tally

India’s traditional fruit export leader, grapes, saw relatively muted growth over the past eight years — up just 16% since FY18, in stark contrast to the seven-fold growth in banana exports during the same period.

Grapes and bananas are now nearly neck and neck in export value, but the momentum clearly favors bananas, particularly as new markets open in the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Qatar, and parts of Southeast Asia.

Why Are Indian Bananas Thriving?

Several factors have contributed to India’s banana boom on the global stage:

1. Competitive Pricing: Indian bananas are cheaper than their counterparts from Latin America and Southeast Asia, giving them a strong edge in cost-sensitive markets.

2. Year-Round Production: Favorable agro-climatic conditions allow for multiple banana harvests annually.

3. Improved Logistics: Better cold-chain and port connectivity has reduced spoilage and transit time.

4. Government Support: Initiatives under APEDA (Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority) have strengthened export potential through training, certification, and branding.

5. Changing Consumption Trends: Bananas are increasingly viewed as a healthy, convenient, and versatile fruit — ideal for health-conscious consumers.

Gujarat and Maharashtra Lead the Charge

Though bananas are grown widely across India, Gujarat’s Gir region and Maharashtra’s Jalgaon district have emerged as key export clusters. The Kesar mango vs Alphonso story from the same regions is now echoed in bananas, as Gujarat’s robust agricultural policies make their fruit varieties export favorites.

“India has worked hard to meet global phytosanitary standards, including chemical residue limits, packaging norms, and traceability — all of which are now paying off,” said an official with APEDA.

FY26 Outlook: More Growth Ahead

With rising interest from new markets like Iran, Bangladesh, and African nations, industry leaders expect banana exports in FY26 to surpass FY25 figures. Talks are also underway to tap into more value-added banana products, including banana flour, chips, and purée, which have growing demand in health food segments.

BV Patil from the Banana Grower's Association added that the group is encouraging cluster-based cultivation models and farmer producer organizations (FPOs) to improve collective bargaining and global reach.

Conclusion

From a humble staple fruit to India’s top agri-export success story, the banana’s rise reflects not just a change in market preferences, but also a strategic shift in India’s export readiness. With robust production, favorable prices, and expanding demand, bananas are now the golden fruit of India’s export basket — and all signs point to further growth in the years to come.

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