Banana Consumption by Country 2026

Bananas aren’t just wildly popular in Western countries like the United States or the United Kingdom. They’re sweet, nutritious, and very easy to eat, which makes them a favorite treat in many countries around the world.

However, some countries are definitely larger, more consistent banana consumers than others. There are a variety of factors at play that may affect a given population’s access to and preference for bananas, as well.

Countries That Consume the Most Bananas

In 2022, Rwanda was the world’s leader when it comes to per capita banana consumption. On average, an average Rwandan eats 116 kg of bananas each year. However, the country’s bananas are also used to create other food items, including a unique wine made from bananas.

Other countries that consume a consistently high number of bananas from year to year include the following.

Papua New Guinea: residents of this country consume approximately 109 kg (240 pounds) of bananas per person each year.

Comoros: In Comoros, residents consume an average of 90.8 kg (200 pounds) of bananas per capita each year.

Laos: This country also consumes bananas in large amounts with 2022’s annual per capita consumption at 80.9 kg (178 pounds).

Additional countries that consume a lot of bananas each year include but are not limited to Samoa, Burundi, Peru, Guatemala, and multiple other nations across Africa and South Asia.

United States: In the United States, bananas are easily one of the most popular, widely consumed fruits, with an average person consuming around 11 kg (24 pounds) annually.

Factors That Influence Banana Consumption

As with the consumption of many agricultural products and food items, a country’s per capita consumption of bananas depends on many different factors. Here are a few to keep in mind.

Local Availability

In most countries, the most abundant, widely available food options also tend to be the most widely consumed. For that reason, the world’s highest, most consistent per capita banana consumers also tend to be the countries that produce more of the world’s supply of bananas.

Cultural Tastes

Whether or not bananas factor into important local culinary dishes and familiar cultural traditions often affects the frequency of consumption. The more of a staple the humble banana is to a country’s cuisine, the more likely its people are to prefer it, even when other options are available.

Economic Factors

Economic standing almost always influences a country’s food choices. Higher-income populations tend to explore more exotic produce options beyond what’s widely available locally, while those with limited means may stick to bananas because of their affordability and overall abundance.