Pakistan\u2019s banana harvest has surged to an unprecedented level, more than doubling over the last 15 years to reach a record 317,000 tonnes in 2024-25, according to the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS).
\nThe official data available with Wealth Pakistan shows that banana output stood at only 139,000 tonnes in 2010-11, but steady growth \u2014 particularly over the past five years \u2014 has pushed the fruit to become Pakistan\u2019s fastest-growing crop.
\nThe most striking leap occurred from 2020-21 onwards, when production increased from 142,000 tonnes to 216,000 tonnes in 2021-22, representing a jump of over 50 percent within a single year.
\nOutput then continued its upward trajectory, touching 292,000 tonnes in 2022-23, 311,000 tonnes in 2023-24, and hitting the provisional record high of 317,000 tonnes in the ongoing 2024-25 season.
\nThis sustained rise in production reflects a major transformation in Pakistan\u2019s fruit farming, as growers increasingly shift towards banana cultivation due to strong market demand and better returns compared to several traditional crops.
\nWaheed Ahmed, Patron-in-Chief All Pakistan Fruit and Vegetables Exporters, Importers, and Merchants Association, told Wealth Pakistan that the rapid growth in banana production highlights its export potential.
\nHe pointed out, however, that Pakistan\u2019s share in the $14 billion international banana export market remains negligible, with current exports standing at only $27.4 million.
\nWaheed stressed the need for building a comprehensive banana value chain model that spans cultivation, processing, packaging, and distribution. Such a system would not only improve quality standards and reduce post-harvest losses but also deliver better incomes for farmers while boosting exports.
\nHe called for the establishment of large-scale corporate farms to produce high-yielding, premium quality bananas for exports.
\nHe said state-of-the-art pack houses are essential for cleaning, grading, packing, storing, and exporting bananas, as these facilities serve as a vital link between farms and markets, ensuring freshness and preventing spoilage.
\nJunaid Haider Shah, a banana producer, exporter and processor from Sindh, also underlined the economic transformation brought about by new banana varieties.
\nFarmers\u2019 per-acre income from bananas, which was only around Rs150,000 to Rs200,000 seven years ago, has now climbed to nearly Rs500,000. The new varieties are fungus-resistant, have a longer shelf life, and are far more lucrative than traditional ones, he told Wealth Pakistan.
\nBanana has now become more profitable than mango, as exports are rising sharply and both demand and prices are increasing in domestic and international markets.
\nThe yield from modern varieties is significantly higher than older ones, some of which are 50 to 60 years old and no longer competitive.
\nThe banana crop now provides year-round availability, with fruiting starting in just 18 months and continuing on a rolling basis, although production levels decline slightly during winter, he added.
\nThis feature has made banana cultivation particularly attractive for farmers looking for consistent income streams.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Pakistan\u2019s banana harvest has surged to an unprecedented level, more than doubling over the last 15 years to reach a record 317,000 tonnes in 2024-25, according to the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS). The official data available with Wealth Pakistan shows that banana output stood at only 139,000 tonnes in 2010-11, but steady growth \u2014 […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":388715,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[5],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-500015","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-business"},"yoast_head":"\n