Banana exports from Mozambique dropped to US$32.3 million in 2023, marking the lowest value in six years, as reported by the Bank of Mozambique. This represents a decline of nearly 25 percent from the previous year's US$41.4 million. The decrease to the lowest total since 2017's US$32.8 million indicates a significant downturn.
The sector is not anticipated to recover within the year, with businesses highlighting a persisting shortage of agricultural products, including bananas. This shortage, coupled with anticipated price increases, is attributed to consecutive floods in southern Mozambique. Maria Assunção Abdul, vice president of the Confederation of Economic Associations of Mozambique, noted that less than halfway into 2024, the banana sector's revenues are "already highly jeopardized." The southern province of Maputo, a key region for fruit cultivation, experienced severe impacts from heavy rainfall and strong winds, leading to crop damage and the proliferation of pests.
Source: macaonews.org