Bananas and Food Security - Bioversity International

476 Les productions bananières / Bananas and food security – Session 3
Workshop overview
Research on markets and marketing allows a better understanding of the factors
affecting demand and supply and thus facilitates the prioritisation of agricultural
research needs. This workshop thus focuses on markets and marketing studies. Methods
for studying markets are being put in place in certain countries, such as the study of
markets in Cameroon carried out by CRBP. It would be desirable to develop a network
between countries to allow the regionalization of market studies and to facilitate
comparative analysis between countries. It is reported that plantains in Cameroon are
highly demanded and are more expensive in the cities than other starchy staples. Some
countries report on efforts by governments to regulate and stimulate markets, such as
the establishment of wholesale markets in Côte d’Ivoire and “marketing orders” in
Puerto Rico. The Indian government is promoting the consumption of bananas as a
healthy food and is aiming to increase its annual production from 13 to 25 million
tonnes. In some countries the private sector is playing an important role in market
development, but there is generally a need for more information to be supplied.
In relation to export markets, non-Cavendish bananas are predominantly sold in
“ethnic” outlets, where they mainly serve the needs of people originating from bananaproducing
countries. Although these markets offer some opportunities, at the present
time sales through such outlets are limited. A report is presented on the potential for
diversification of the traditional Cavendish market in Europe. Some possibilities exist,
for example “Fair Trade” and organic products, but at the present time these represent a
tiny proportion of the market.
Reports are also presented on systems of commercialization and ways to improve efficiency,
especially reducing the costs of intermediate transactions between the supplier
and the consumer. The problems of instability of markets, post harvest losses and transport
are highlighted. It is recommended that more in-depth market studies are required,
using standard methods of data collection, particularly in relation to consumption patterns.
In addition, the effects of various interventions should be followed up, in order to
compare and learn from different experiences. It also seems useful to continue collecting
market information, despite recognised deficiencies in the available statistics. Such
information would be particularly useful in informing policy makers of the important role
bananas and plantains play in food security. It would also help in orientating agricultural
research towards the priority needs of the market.