Banana Production In India - The Top States

When we talk about the world's highest banana-producing countries, India is at the top of the list. The tropical climate and year-round production are why India has thrived in consistently producing bananas in large quantities over the years. 

In doing so, a number of Indian states have actively contributed to the high production of bananas. These include: Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh and Gujarat being the top states. Other states like Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Bihar, West Bengal and Assam also produce bananas in large quantities. 

However, it remains to be known that despite being the largest producer, the banana exports from India account for just a small share, as the majority of the bananas are used for domestic consumption.

In this blog, we’ll study each of the top banana producing states in India, the varieties they produce and the regions they produce the most. 

A Look At The Major Banana-Producing States In India

State	Production(2023-24)	Share% (2023-24)
Maharashtra	6,534.35	17.37
Andhra Pradesh	5,830.93	15.50
Tamil Nadu	4,719.95	12.55
Uttar Pradesh	4,191.85	11.14
Gujarat	4,010.72	10.66
Karnataka	3,121.97	8.30
Madhya Pradesh	2,453.83	6.52
Bihar	1,919.98	5.10
West Bengal	1,440.01	3.83
Assam	1,022.51	2.72
Total Production	35,246.10	-

The above table from APEDA states the overall banana production of major banana-producing states in India in the year 2023-24. 

• Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh, and Gujarat together produce roughly two-thirds (67%) of India's bananas.

• The total production of 35.2 million metric tonnes (35,246.10 thousand MT) represents about 25-26% of the entire world's banana production.

Let's study the top states and the variety of bananas they produce.

Maharashtra:

Maharashtra produces bananas throughout the year and is the state that accounts for the majority of banana exports from India, and is a key sourcing hub for banana exporters. 

• The Jalgaon district, which is also called the “Banana City of India”, accounts for major production

• Popular varieties of banana grown in Maharashtra include: Robusta(Harichal), Safed Velchi, Basrai, Grand Naine, Lal Velchi, Mutheli(Rasthali) 

  
  

Andhra Pradesh:

Andhra Pradesh stood as the highest banana producer in 2022-23 and the second highest in 2023-24.

Key areas where bananas are grown in Andhra Pradesh

The Rayalaseema Region, which comprises the Anantapur and Kadapa districts are the highest producer of bananas. Other major districts include East Godavari, West Godavari, Vizianagaram, and Visakhapatnam.

Varieties of bananas grown in Andhra Pradesh

Popular varieties of bananas in Andhra Pradesh include: Dwarf Cavendish, Robusta, Rasthali, Amritpant, Thellachakrakeli, Karpoora Poovan, Monthan, Yenagu Bontha and Grand Naine. 

Tamil Nadu:

There are many key regions and varieties where banana is grown in Tamil Nadu. 

Key areas where bananas are grown in Tamil Nadu

• Erode is a leading banana-producing region with more than 15,000 hectares under cultivation, while Theni stands out for achieving the state’s highest productivity and export-quality bananas.

• Significant banana plantations are found in Trichy and the Tuticorin blocks of Alwarthirunagari and Srivaikuntam, along with major growing belts in Coimbatore, Tirunelveli, Karur, and Kanniyakumari.

Varieties of bananas grown in Tamil Nadu

• Theni specializes in star banana varieties like Grand Naine (G-9) and Red Banana, which are increasingly used for processing and value-added products.

• In the Trichy belt, farmers mainly cultivate Neypoovan, Nendran, Poovan, Rasthali, and Karpooravalli, while other popular varieties across Tamil Nadu include Virupakshi, Robusta, Monthan, Sakkai, Peyan, and the unique Matti banana.

Uttar Pradesh

Key areas where bananas are grown in Uttar Pradesh

• Kushinagar, Lakhimpur Kheri, Maharajganj, Allahabad, and Kaushambi are the major banana-producing districts in Uttar Pradesh, with extensive cultivation across the Purvanchal and Awadh regions.

• Districts such as Deoria, Gorakhpur, Ayodhya, and Barabanki also contribute significantly, and banana has been officially declared the ODOP crop for Kushinagar, highlighting its importance to the region.

Varieties of bananas grown in Uttar Pradesh

The G-9 (Grand Nain) variety is the primary banana variety grown in major production hubs such as Lakhimpur Kheri.

This variety is extensively used for exports to markets like Iran, with farmers adopting advanced techniques to align with both domestic and international market requirements.

Gujarat

Gujarat is one such state where the productivity of bananas per hectare is higher than in any other state in India.

Key areas where bananas are grown in Gujarat

• Bharuch is the top banana-producing district in Gujarat, with Narmada, Chhota Udepur, Vadodara, and Anand collectively accounting for a major share of the state’s production.

• Additional growing areas such as Surat, Kheda, and Junagadh strengthen banana production, while Bharuch, Narmada, and Surat stand out as major contributors to banana exports.

Varieties of bananas grown in Gujarat

• Major banana varieties grown in Gujarat include Dwarf Cavendish, Robusta, Basrai, and G-9 (Grand Nain), which together form the backbone of the state’s production.

• Additional cultivars such as Lacatan, Harichal (Lokhandi), Gandevi Selection, and Shrimati are also widely grown.

Karnataka

Where bananas are grown in Karnataka

Major banana growing regions in Karnataka include Mysore, Chikkamagaluru, Shivamogga, Hassan and the coastal areas in Dakshin Kannada.

Varieties of bananas grown in Karnataka

• Robusta, Dwarf Cavendish, Rasthali, Poovan, Monthan, Bontha and Elakkibale are the major commercial banana varieties grown in Karnataka.

• Moreover, the GI-tagged Nanjangud Rasabale from Mysore and Chamarajanagar districts and the Kamalapur Red Banana from Kalaburagi are also grown.

Madhya Pradesh

Madhya Pradesh is one such state that produces close to 2.5 million metric tons of bananas every year.

Where bananas are grown in Madhya Pradesh

Burhanpur acts as the main hub for banana production in Madhya Pradesh. The Ichhapur, Dapora, and Shahpur are the main villages in Burhanpur where banana is grown.

Varieties of bananas grown in Madhya Pradesh

The most commonly cultivated varieties are the G-9, Basrai, Harshali, and Srimanthi varieties, which are known for their high commercial viability.

Conclusion

It is clear that India dominates the production of bananas in the world. Yes, our export ratio is low. But, with different states opting for banana farming as a lucrative option and coming up with new methods of cultivation, the exports too are bound to increase. 

Moreover, government authorities like the National Horticulture Board and the APEDA also provide various subsidies for the cultivation of bananas and for help post-harvest. 

If you too want to import bananas from India, reach out to us at Ashadhan. We will help you source the right quality and size of bananas.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where does India rank in banana production in the world?

India is the top banana-producing country in the world. Other major banana producers include Ecuador, Indonesia, Brazil and Phillipines. 

Why does India rank high in global banana production?

Tropical climate in the main banana-growing regions, increased variety, and increased farmer efficiency through advanced production techniques are why India ranks high in global banana production.  

How has banana production in India grown over the years?

India’s banana production has grown significantly over the years. The total production, which stood at close to 28.5 MT in 2011-12, has increased to 37.8 MT in 2024-24.

Which state has the highest banana production in India?

As per the latest data available by APEDA, Maharashtra was the highest banana producer in 2023-24. Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh and Gujarat are the other top banana producing states in India.