US banana imports recover after falling to decade low

US fresh banana imports began to recover in early 2026 after falling to their lowest annual level since 2013, according to the USDA Economic Research Service.

Import volumes increased by 3% between January and May compared with the same period in 2025. The value of those imports rose by 12%.

Imports declined in 2025

The United States imported 10.1 billion pounds of fresh bananas in 2025, down 3.4% from 10.4 billion pounds a year earlier.

USDA linked the decline to a second consecutive annual fall in conventional banana imports and higher unit prices. Cooler weather, excessive rainfall and tropical-storm damage reduced exportable supplies from major producing countries, including Guatemala and Costa Rica.

Lower imports reduced estimated banana availability to 25.4 pounds per person, the lowest level since 2009. Bananas nevertheless remained the fresh fruit with the highest per-capita availability in the US.

Organic volumes reach a record

Organic bananas followed a different trend in 2025. Imports rose for a third consecutive year to a record 1.55 billion pounds, representing around 15% of total US fresh banana imports.

Growth continued during the first five months of 2026. Organic import volumes increased by 5%, while their value climbed by 26%, supported by higher shipments from Ecuador, Mexico and Colombia.

Average US retail banana prices reached 65 cents per pound during the first four months of 2026, around 5% above the same period last year. Prices then moved below year-earlier levels in May and June.

source: nass.usda.gov

photo: snaped.fns.usda.gov