Plantains and cooking bananas Production by Country 2025
Plantains dominate starchy staple production with Uganda leading at 11.1 million tonnes in 2023, projected to reach 11.1 million tonnes by 2025. Global production totaled 44.4 million tonnes in 2023, down 0.7% from 2022, spanning 56 countries concentrated in Africa, Latin America, and Southeast Asia. DR Congo produces 4.9 million tonnes, Cameroon contributes 4.6 million tonnes, and Ghana adds 4.4 million tonnes. These cooking bananas, distinct from sweet dessert bananas, require cooking before eating and serve as dietary staples for 400+ million people. Plantains provide carbohydrates, fiber, and vitamins, prepared by frying, boiling, roasting, or mashing into fufu, creating versatile dishes from Caribbean tostones to West African dodo.
Uganda produces 11.1 million tonnes in 2023, accounting for 25% of global output, with explosive growth from 6.5 million in 2018. Central and Western regions dominate cultivation, where plantains (locally called matooke) serve as primary staple food. Ugandans consume 200+ kg per capita annually—highest globally. Matooke is steamed in banana leaves creating soft, savory dish served with groundnut sauce, beans, or meat. Production combines traditional backyard cultivation with commercial plantations. However, Uganda faces challenges from banana bacterial wilt (devastating disease), weevils, and nematodes. The crop provides year-round food security and income for smallholder farmers. Modern initiatives promote disease-resistant varieties and improved agronomic practices. DR Congo produces 4.9 million tonnes, Cameroon 4.6 million tonnes, and Ghana 4.4 million tonnes, making Central and West Africa the global plantain heartland. Ivory Coast contributes 2.1 million tonnes, Rwanda 1.0 million tonnes, and Tanzania 581,000 tonnes. African plantains serve as dietary staples—boiled, fried, pounded into fufu, or roasted. The crop grows in humid tropical regions, often intercropped with cocoa, coffee, or cassava. Production remains largely subsistence-oriented with minimal mechanization. Challenges include Panama disease (Fusarium wilt), black sigatoka, and post-harvest losses from poor handling. The region's plantain consumption per capita exceeds 100 kg annually in many countries, making it crucial for food security. Philippines produces 3.1 million tonnes, Colombia 2.6 million tonnes, and Ecuador 841,000 tonnes, serving domestic and export markets. Dominican Republic contributes 1.3 million tonnes, Venezuela 666,000 tonnes, and Cuba 699,000 tonnes. Latin American plantains feature in diverse dishes—Colombian patacones, Puerto Rican mofongo, and Cuban tostones. Myanmar produces 1.4 million tonnes, Sri Lanka 783,000 tonnes, and Bangladesh 186,000 tonnes. Asian cooking bananas differ slightly from African/Latin varieties but serve similar culinary roles. These regions balance domestic consumption with limited export opportunities, primarily to diaspora communities in North America and Europe. Plantains provide complex carbohydrates (32g/100g), fiber (2.3g), potassium (499mg), vitamin C, and vitamin A at 122 calories per 100g. Unlike sweet bananas, plantains contain resistant starch requiring cooking to become digestible. Green plantains offer lower glycemic index than ripe ones. Culinary versatility spans preparation methods—fried (tostones, kelewele), boiled (matooke), roasted, mashed (fufu, mofongo), or dried into flour. Green plantains taste starchy and savory; ripe plantains develop sweetness but remain firmer than dessert bananas. Processing creates plantain chips, flour, and beer. The fruit's year-round availability and long shelf life (compared to other fresh produce) make it reliable food source. Plantains thrive in humid tropical climates with temperatures 25-30°C and rainfall 1,200-2,500mm annually. Plants are perennial herbs (not trees!) growing 3-8 meters tall, producing fruit 9-12 months after planting. Each plant produces one bunch (10-100 fingers), then dies back while suckers grow for continuous production. Propagation uses suckers rather than seeds. Intercropping with coffee, cocoa, or food crops maximizes land use. Major diseases include Panama disease (Fusarium wilt TR4—devastating), black sigatoka, and banana bacterial wilt. Pests include weevils, nematodes, and aphids. Climate change brings irregular rainfall and increased disease pressure. Breeding programs develop disease-resistant hybrids, though farmer adoption remains slow due to taste preferences. Plantain prices fluctuate $0.30-1.50/kg depending on region and season. International trade minimal—only 2-3% crosses borders due to perishability and local consumption patterns. Ecuador and Colombia export to USA and Europe serving diaspora communities. Processing into chips and flour enables longer-distance trade. Organic plantains fetch premiums in specialty markets. Climate change affects flowering and fruit development. Diseases like TR4 threaten production globally. Post-harvest losses reach 30-40% from bruising, ripening issues, and poor storage. Retail trends in Western markets favor pre-cut, frozen, or processed plantain products. However, most production remains local, sold in fresh markets for immediate consumption. Global plantain production projected to grow 1-2% annually through 2030, driven by African population growth and urbanization. Disease-resistant varieties critical as TR4 spreads globally. Climate-adapted cultivars help cope with irregular rainfall. Processing innovations create value-added products—plantain flour for gluten-free baking, chips, and convenience foods. Urban demand drives commercialization of traditionally subsistence crop. However, plantains face challenges from diseases, climate change, and competition from other staples. The crop's year-round production, nutritional value, and cultural significance ensure continued importance, though production must overcome disease threats while meeting growing urban demand in this essential tropical staple's evolution from backyard crop to commercial commodity.🏆 Uganda's Matooke Kingdom
Plantains and cooking bananas Production by Country 2025
1
11,149,493
2
4,892,041
3
4,611,908
4
4,439,467
5
3,137,910
6
2,504,894
7
2,113,898
8
1,380,242
9
1,228,005
10
1,017,564
11
1,013,175
12
830,259
13
676,307
14
674,865
15
665,422
16
580,716
17
487,206
18
405,470
19
351,872
20
327,234
21
246,926
22
229,690
23
192,185
24
183,658
25
130,689
26
122,484
27
93,847
28
84,787
29
75,246
30
58,944
31
57,187
32
50,987
33
47,193
34
41,453
35
40,984
36
40,050
37
34,360
38
28,583
39
11,050
40
8,684
41
6,565
42
5,406
43
5,235
44
3,080
45
2,381
46
2,168
47
2,090
48
412
49
309
50
262
51
195
52
66
53
14
🌍 African Plantain Belt
🌎 Latin American and Asian Production
🍌 Starchy Staple Nutrition
🌱 Perennial Cultivation
📊 Local Markets and Limited Trade
🔮 Food Security Future
Plantains and cooking bananas Production by Country 2025
#
1
6,494,057
9,400,000
11,756,441
11,176,675
11,230,000
11,090,316
11,149,493
2
4,832,323
4,856,474
4,866,798
4,884,184
4,887,511
4,897,902
4,892,041
3
4,265,867
4,328,988
4,493,285
4,602,422
4,624,486
4,608,156
4,611,908
4
4,688,279
4,322,512
4,429,875
4,480,222
4,410,870
4,440,322
4,439,467
5
3,214,411
3,108,075
3,100,839
3,149,093
3,113,584
3,148,033
3,137,910
6
1,906,453
2,185,005
2,300,810
2,333,022
2,478,699
2,589,361
2,504,894
7
1,955,670
2,029,986
2,082,812
2,030,593
2,109,288
2,149,985
2,113,898
8
1,391,563
1,340,597
1,404,566
1,200,000
1,400,000
1,440,483
1,380,242
9
1,017,978
1,027,491
1,155,152
1,075,527
1,151,333
1,335,000
1,228,005
10
759,696
818,515
913,231
969,193
996,016
1,049,842
1,017,564
11
720,100
561,390
975,450
813,730
1,529,919
782,906
1,013,175
12
651,968
749,450
722,298
763,455
857,562
840,599
830,259
13
473,766
531,122
575,205
619,288
663,371
706,875
676,307
14
689,319
715,586
594,374
618,565
672,516
698,795
674,865
15
754,121
742,615
664,095
665,374
665,317
665,504
665,422
16
579,937
580,117
580,478
580,832
580,743
580,654
580,716
17
493,524
491,620
481,093
476,299
484,875
492,968
487,206
18
393,241
396,515
404,243
408,894
403,218
405,452
405,470
19
350,000
350,442
345,400
348,650
351,129
353,607
351,872
20
252,520
270,512
288,289
302,716
332,486
333,889
327,234
21
281,599
249,883
228,007
244,327
247,223
247,787
246,926
22
177,659
191,102
166,613
253,071
231,466
219,273
229,690
23
376,051
192,898
188,529
275,133
150,227
184,180
192,185
24
157,037
160,891
166,890
179,000
183,438
185,654
183,658
25
95,465
108,572
114,421
118,358
150,548
123,707
130,689
26
130,085
103,368
110,987
112,365
123,681
125,813
122,484
27
92,772
90,521
93,517
93,790
93,834
93,878
93,847
28
84,708
84,640
84,616
84,705
84,768
84,831
84,787
29
66,998
67,189
84,413
71,200
72,083
78,763
75,246
30
49,907
46,111
44,822
51,135
60,586
61,082
58,944
31
56,858
57,863
56,853
57,191
57,302
57,115
57,187
32
50,030
50,450
51,678
50,720
50,949
51,116
50,987
33
46,481
47,076
47,520
47,026
47,207
47,251
47,193
34
40,609
41,197
41,920
41,242
41,453
41,538
41,453
35
40,257
40,501
40,554
40,707
40,920
41,133
40,984
36
40,868
38,641
37,408
38,530
39,686
40,877
40,050
37
33,744
33,976
34,329
34,076
34,294
34,512
34,360
38
44,499
40,861
36,879
44,429
28,960
22,019
28,583
39
5,393
6,184
5,997
8,829
10,133
12,489
11,050
40
8,652
8,683
8,701
8,657
8,678
8,699
8,684
41
15,399
14,851
18,703
10,754
5,911
5,282
6,565
42
5,257
5,311
5,363
5,389
5,436
5,396
5,406
43
6,666
6,561
6,120
6,043
4,662
5,255
5,235
44
4,920
5,166
4,532
3,098
3,108
3,056
3,080
45
2,419
2,347
2,396
2,419
2,390
2,360
2,381
46
2,659
2,712
1,716
2,318
3,009
1,603
2,168
47
2,517
1,784
3,039
3,114
2,274
1,570
2,090
48
0
35
248
695
265
386
412
49
309
308
309
309
309
309
309
50
253
222
276
227
278
265
262
51
193
194
195
195
195
195
195
52
72
47
64
71
64
65
66
53
5
3
34
2
9
22
14
Frequently Asked Questions
Which country produces the most plantains and cooking bananas in the world?
Uganda is the world's largest plantain producer with 11,090,316 tonnes in 2023, accounting for 25% of global production. Production exploded from 6.5 million tonnes in 2018, concentrated in Central and Western regions where plantains (matooke) serve as primary staple food. Ugandans consume 200+ kg per capita annually—highest globally. Matooke is steamed in banana leaves creating soft, savory dish served with groundnut sauce. DR Congo ranks second with 4,897,902 tonnes, followed by Cameroon at 4,608,156 tonnes and Ghana at 4,440,322 tonnes.
What's the difference between plantains and regular bananas?
Plantains are starchy cooking bananas that must be cooked before eating, unlike sweet dessert bananas eaten raw. Plantains contain more resistant starch and less sugar, remaining firm even when ripe. They're larger, thicker-skinned, and used as vegetables rather than fruit. Green plantains taste starchy and savory (like potatoes); ripe plantains develop sweetness but stay firmer than dessert bananas. Culinary uses span frying (tostones, kelewele), boiling (matooke), mashing (fufu, mofongo), or roasting. Plantains provide 400+ million people with dietary staples, while dessert bananas serve as snacks. Botanically similar, but culinary roles completely different—you wouldn't make banana bread with plantains or fry dessert bananas!
Data Disclaimer: Projected data (future years) are estimates based on mathematical models. Actual values may differ. Learn about our methodology →
Sources
-
Updated: 13.11.2025https://www.fao.org/faostat/en/#data/QCL
Please log in to leave a comment.
Log in
(0) Comments