Banana production in South Africa
South Africa: Banana production was 430,925 tonnes in 2024. ◆ Volatile
Latest (2024)
430,925 tonnes
Change on year
up 0.5%
World rank
36th
of 152 countries
All-time high
502,069 tonnes
in 2022
All-time low
28,681 tonnes
in 1964
Years of data
64
1961–2024
Banana production in South Africa, 1961–2024
Source: Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (2025) – with major processing by Our World in Data. Measured in tonnes.
Analysis
The most recent figure for banana production in South Africa is 430,925 tonnes, measured in 2024.
That represents a change of up 0.5% on the previous year and down 5.7% over ten years.
Over the whole period, banana production in South Africa peaked at 502,069 tonnes in 2022 and was at its lowest, 28,681 tonnes, in 1964.
That places South Africa 36th out of 152 countries with data for 2024, putting it in the top quarter.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Banana production in South Africa, year by year
| Year | tonnes | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1961 | 55,032 tonnes | — |
| 1962 | 37,190 tonnes | -32.4% |
| 1963 | 53,252 tonnes | +43.2% |
| 1964 | 28,681 tonnes | -46.1% |
| 1965 | 28,943 tonnes | +0.9% |
| 1966 | 38,378 tonnes | +32.6% |
| 1967 | 51,828 tonnes | +35.0% |
| 1968 | 45,645 tonnes | -11.9% |
| 1969 | 68,241 tonnes | +49.5% |
| 1970 | 57,618 tonnes | -15.6% |
| 1971 | 81,355 tonnes | +41.2% |
| 1972 | 74,908 tonnes | -7.9% |
| 1973 | 99,260 tonnes | +32.5% |
| 1974 | 101,653 tonnes | +2.4% |
| 1975 | 97,998 tonnes | -3.6% |
| 1976 | 87,474 tonnes | -10.7% |
| 1977 | 89,564 tonnes | +2.4% |
| 1978 | 102,780 tonnes | +14.8% |
| 1979 | 108,347 tonnes | +5.4% |
| 1980 | 111,548 tonnes | +3.0% |
| 1981 | 113,714 tonnes | +1.9% |
| 1982 | 135,784 tonnes | +19.4% |
| 1983 | 116,207 tonnes | -14.4% |
| 1984 | 140,823 tonnes | +21.2% |
| 1985 | 150,825 tonnes | +7.1% |
| 1986 | 177,124 tonnes | +17.4% |
| 1987 | 177,859 tonnes | +0.4% |
| 1988 | 194,937 tonnes | +9.6% |
| 1989 | 207,802 tonnes | +6.6% |
| 1990 | 226,141 tonnes | +8.8% |
| 1991 | 238,893 tonnes | +5.6% |
| 1992 | 181,648 tonnes | -24.0% |
| 1993 | 133,571 tonnes | -26.5% |
| 1994 | 131,431 tonnes | -1.6% |
| 1995 | 134,982 tonnes | +2.7% |
| 1996 | 164,976 tonnes | +22.2% |
| 1997 | 183,343 tonnes | +11.1% |
| 1998 | 330,009 tonnes | +80.0% |
| 1999 | 378,728 tonnes | +14.8% |
| 2000 | 377,967 tonnes | -0.2% |
| 2001 | 371,361 tonnes | -1.7% |
| 2002 | 362,290 tonnes | -2.4% |
| 2003 | 334,080 tonnes | -7.8% |
| 2004 | 279,767 tonnes | -16.3% |
| 2005 | 351,612 tonnes | +25.7% |
| 2006 | 342,568 tonnes | -2.6% |
| 2007 | 345,749 tonnes | +0.9% |
| 2008 | 393,141 tonnes | +13.7% |
| 2009 | 370,805 tonnes | -5.7% |
| 2010 | 399,898 tonnes | +7.8% |
| 2011 | 384,773 tonnes | -3.8% |
| 2012 | 386,680 tonnes | +0.5% |
| 2013 | 419,564 tonnes | +8.5% |
| 2014 | 456,952 tonnes | +8.9% |
| 2015 | 435,252 tonnes | -4.7% |
| 2016 | 310,070 tonnes | -28.8% |
| 2017 | 335,208 tonnes | +8.1% |
| 2018 | 444,879 tonnes | +32.7% |
| 2019 | 416,169 tonnes | -6.5% |
| 2020 | 322,915 tonnes | -22.4% |
| 2021 | 351,574 tonnes | +8.9% |
| 2022 | 502,069 tonnes | +42.8% |
| 2023 | 428,789 tonnes | -14.6% |
| 2024 | 430,925 tonnes | +0.5% |
South Africa compared with similar countries
- South Africa's 430,925 tonnes is above the median for upper middle income countries, which is 74,035 tonnes, 5.8× the median. (40 countries reporting)
- South Africa's 430,925 tonnes is above the median for Sub-Saharan Africa, which is 186,861 tonnes, 2.3× the median. (38 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1960s | 45,243 tonnes | 28,681 tonnes | 68,241 tonnes | 9 |
| 1970s | 90,096 tonnes | 57,618 tonnes | 108,347 tonnes | 10 |
| 1980s | 152,662 tonnes | 111,548 tonnes | 207,802 tonnes | 10 |
| 1990s | 210,372 tonnes | 131,431 tonnes | 378,728 tonnes | 10 |
| 2000s | 352,934 tonnes | 279,767 tonnes | 393,141 tonnes | 10 |
| 2010s | 398,944 tonnes | 310,070 tonnes | 456,952 tonnes | 10 |
| 2020s | 407,254 tonnes | 322,915 tonnes | 502,069 tonnes | 5 |
Countries ranked near South Africa
- 33 Honduras 550,869 tonnes compare
- 34 Cote d'Ivoire 534,243 tonnes compare
- 35 Venezuela 533,896 tonnes compare
- 37 Spain 421,320 tonnes compare
- 38 Madagascar 399,940 tonnes compare
- 39 Mozambique 387,740 tonnes compare
More reference data data for South Africa
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - Manure applied to Soils 0.5111 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - Manure left on Pasture 8.71 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - IPCC Agriculture 13.63 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - Crop Residues 0.7468 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - Agricultural Soils 13.63 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - Manure applied to Soils 1.71 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - Manure Management 1.49 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - Manure left on Pasture 41.1 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - IPCC Agriculture 63.65 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - Crop Residues 4.07 (2050)
Frequently asked questions
- What is banana production in South Africa?
- Banana production in South Africa was 430,925 tonnes in 2024, according to Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (2025) – with major processing by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest banana production recorded in South Africa?
- The highest recorded value was 502,069 tonnes in 2022.
- What is the lowest banana production recorded in South Africa?
- The lowest recorded value was 28,681 tonnes in 1964.
- How does South Africa rank for banana production?
- South Africa ranks 36th out of 152 countries with data for 2024.
- Is banana production rising or falling in South Africa?
- Over the last ten years it is down 5.7%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this South Africa data come from?
- The figures come from Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (2025) – with major processing by Our World in Data, published as part of Banana production. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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