Banana production in Mexico rose by 2.9%

Banana is the most cultivated tropical fruit in Mexico. The production of the fruit increased by 2.9% in 2020, totaling 2 million 469 thousand tons, and has increased its presence in international markets, such as China.

The Mexican banana is cultivated in 16 states, being Chiapas, Tabasco and Veracruz the main producing regions. In the previous years these regions accumulated more than 60% of the total national production, according to the Agricultural and Fisheries Information Service (SIAP) .

The main varieties in Mexico are Dominico, Pera, Valery, Tabasco, Manzano, Morado, and Macho. They differ in taste and texture, the color of the skin can be yellow, greenish or reddish.

Today, it is one of the most consumed fruits in Mexico, the annual per capita consumption is 14.4 kilos. Its participation in the national fruit production is 10.1%.

Banana production is stable during the year, with a monthly average of 200 thousand tons.

Mexico is the 12th world producer of bananas. 30% of production goes to 43 markets, with the United States being the main recipient, followed by Japan, South Korea, Russia, the United Kingdom, Italy and New Zealand. The value of exports at the end of 2020 totaled $274 million.

In January 2020, Mexico started exporting bananas to China, with 39 tons of the fruit from Tabasco, Colima and Chiapas regions.

Mexico and China have a phytosanitary protocol for banana exports. With a population of more than 1.3 billion people and an average per capita income of $8.000 a year, China is a high-potential market for Mexican bananas.

source: gob.mx

photo: agromarketing.mx