Banana Prices in the United States from 2020 to 2025

For 2020, the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) pegs the average retail price of bananas at $0.58 per pound. This was a stable year—bananas didn’t see the wild swings of other goods during early pandemic disruptions. Import prices, per IndexBox, averaged $510 per ton, with Guatemala and Ecuador supplying most of the 4.6 million tons the U.S. brought in. That’s about $0.23 per pound at wholesale, leaving room for shipping, ripening, and retail markup.

In 2021, retail prices nudged up to $0.60 per pound (BLS data). Import prices ticked up to $515 per ton, a slight rise tied to steady demand and minor freight cost increases. The U.S. imported around 4.6 million tons again, per USDA stats, with per capita consumption holding at 26-27 pounds. Bananas stayed a cheap staple while other fruits climbed faster.

By 2022, retail prices hit $0.63 per pound, per BLS—a 5% jump from 2021. Import prices rose to $520 per ton (IndexBox), reflecting higher fuel and labor costs in Central America. The Statista report confirms this uptick, noting bananas’ stability compared to, say, eggs or beef. Volume stayed flat at 4.6 million tons, showing supply kept pace with demand.

For 2023, retail prices averaged $0.64 per pound (BLS and ERS data), barely budging from 2022. Import prices climbed to $530 per ton, per IndexBox, with a December peak at $623 per ton (IMARC Group) due to seasonal demand and tighter supply from weather issues in Latin America. Imports rose slightly to 4.6 million tons, per USDA, as consumption held steady.

In 2024, we’ve got partial data. Retail prices likely averaged $0.65-$0.66 per pound, extrapolating from BLS trends and a 1-2% inflation creep. Import prices hit $544 per ton by August (IndexBox), up 3.3% from July, driven by climate challenges and Fusarium Wilt pressures. The U.S. banana market grew to $2.1 billion (IndexBox), suggesting stable volume (around 4.6-4.7 million tons) with slight price pressure. A late-year dip to $0.62-$0.63 per pound is possible with harvest peaks, but no hard numbers yet.

For 2025, we’re forecasting. Retail prices might land at $0.67-$0.70 per pound, assuming a 2-4% annual increase from inflation and rising production costs (fertilizer, labor, shipping). Import prices could reach $550-$560 per ton by year-end, based on the 1-2% yearly uptrend and potential supply hiccups—think storms or Panama Canal bottlenecks.