Philippines claims second-largest global importer as China emerges as significant import destination
Asia could play a larger role in the world’s banana trade with exports from the region projected to rise by 24 per cent to nearly 5.19mn tonnes in 2025, according to a report by the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO).
This surge was largely driven by a boost in supply from the Philippines, which experienced a recovery in production following multiple challenging years.
“Based on available monthly export data up to August 2025, banana shipments from the Philippines are estimated to rise by approximately 26 per cent over the full year, to 2.9mn tonnes,” the report said.
These volumes saw the Philippines become the world’s second-largest exporter of bananas, behind Ecuador, and the top supplier in Asia.
The FAO reported that substantial investments had been made into the Philippines banana industry, including through the provision of organic fertilizer and other inputs by the Department of Agriculture.
India, Vietnam and Cambodia also experienced notable growth in 2025. Full-year estimates suggested exports from India were up approximately 25 per cent, reaching close to 1mn tonnes. Vietnam was expected to have sent some 500,000 tonnes of bananas, up 25 per cent on the year before. And Cambodia, which has emerged as an important supplier to China, was estimated to have increased its exports by 21 per cent last year, sending 300,000 tonnes.
Asia also played its part in the rise in total imports in 2025. According to the FAO, while demand in already developed import markets such as Europe and the US showed only moderate growth or even loss, China emerged as a significant importer in 2025 alongside Russia.
Over the period January to August 2025, China’s imports rose 24 per cent compared to the same period in 2024, driven by a drop in domestic supplies. The FAO estimated that over the full year China’s banana imports would reach 2mn tonnes, again making it the third largest importer of bananas globally with a 10 per cent share of the total imported volume.
China’s largest suppliers by origin included Vietnam, the Philippines, Ecuador and Cambodia.
