Pakistan's banana harvest has achieved a remarkable milestone, more than doubling over the past 15 years to reach a record 317,000 tonnes in the 2024-25 fiscal year, according to the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS). Official data from Wealth Pakistan reveals that banana production was only 139,000 tonnes in the 2010-11 fiscal year. However, steady growth—especially in the last five years—has made bananas Pakistan's fastest-growing crop.

The most significant increase occurred between 2020-21 and 2021-22, when production surged from 142,000 tonnes to 216,000 tonnes—an impressive 52% increase in just one year. This upward trend continued, with output reaching 292,000 tonnes in 2022-23, 311,000 tonnes in 2023-24, and a provisional high of 317,000 tonnes in the ongoing 2024-25 season. This sustained rise in production reflects a significant transformation in Pakistan's fruit farming, as growers increasingly choose banana cultivation due to strong market demand and better returns compared to traditional crops.

Waheed Ahmed, Patron-in-Chief of the All-Pakistan Fruit and Vegetables Exporters, Importers, and Merchants Association, highlighted the rapid growth in banana production and its export potential. However, he pointed out that Pakistan's share in the $14 billion international banana export market remains minimal, with current exports standing at only $27.4 million. Ahmed emphasised the need for a comprehensive banana value chain model that encompasses cultivation, processing, packaging, and distribution. Such a system would enhance quality standards, minimise post-harvest losses, and provide higher incomes for farmers, while also boosting exports. He also advocated for the establishment of large-scale corporate farms to produce high-yielding, premium-quality bananas for export.

State-of-the-art packing houses are essential for cleaning, grading, packaging, storing, and exporting bananas. These facilities play a crucial role in maintaining freshness and preventing spoilage, serving as a vital link between farms and markets.

Junaid Haider Shah, a banana producer, exporter, and processor from Sindh, emphasised the economic transformation brought about by new banana varieties. Farmers' per-acre income from bananas, which was around Rs150,000 to Rs200,000 seven years ago, has nearly tripled to about Rs500,000. The new varieties are resistant to fungus, have a longer shelf life, and are significantly more profitable than traditional ones. Bananas have become more profitable than mangoes, with rising exports and increased demand and prices in both domestic and international markets. The yield from modern varieties significantly exceeds that of older ones, some of which are 50 to 60 years old and no longer competitive.

Banana cultivation now allows for year-round availability, with fruiting beginning in just 18 months and continuing on a rolling basis, although production levels dip slightly during the winter. This consistency makes banana farming particularly attractive for farmers seeking reliable income streams.