Skip to content
AfricAgric
ENFR

Fruit

Banana: what can it become?

A fruit that can be sold fresh or processed into flour, puree and chips, but that bruises and ripens quickly after harvest.

  1. Raw banana
  2. Processing
  3. Value-added products
  4. Packaging
  5. Markets
  6. Customers

Bananas and plantains soften and ripen quickly after harvest, and rough handling, piling and heat speed up losses. Value is kept by careful harvesting, transport and ripening control. Value is created by turning fruit into flour, puree or chips, which are easier to keep and sell.

What can banana become?

Banana flour

A flour made from peeled, sliced and dried unripe bananas or plantains.

Processing
Wash the fruit to remove sand, peel, slice, dry in the sun or a dehydrator, then mill the dried slices.
Equipment
  • Washing area
  • Peeling and slicing table
  • Drying racks or dehydrator
  • Mill or grinder
Packaging
Hermetically sealed plastic sachets or bags, with clear labelling; dry flour keeps better.
Storage
Dry, cool, off-the-floor storage; flour that is well dried and sealed can be kept for many months.
Customer types
  • Households
  • Bakers and small food makers
  • Retailers
Distribution
Sold to local shops and bakers, or through a wholesaler or online.
Possible business models
  • Own small processing unit
  • Contract drying and milling for farmers
  • Buy-process-resell

Banana puree

A smooth pulp made from ripe bananas, used as an ingredient in drinks and other foods.

Processing
Blanch the ripe fruit with steam or hot water, cool it, then blend to a smooth puree.
Equipment
  • Washing and peeling area
  • Steam or hot-water blanching pot
  • Blender or pulping machine
  • Clean containers
Packaging
Clean, food-safe, tightly closed containers; hygiene matters because puree is a wet product.
Storage
Keep cool and protected; a wet product needs more careful storage than a dry one.
Customer types
  • Juice and drink makers
  • Dairy and dessert makers
  • Small food businesses
Distribution
Supplied directly to food and drink makers on a regular basis.
Possible business models
  • Own small processing unit
  • Supply to food makers
  • Contract processing for farmers

Banana chips

Slices of unripe banana or plantain that are fried or dried into a crisp snack.

Processing
Peel and slice the fruit, then fry the slices or dry them.
Equipment
  • Peeling and slicing table
  • Frying pan or fryer
  • Draining rack
  • Sealing equipment
Packaging
Sealed plastic or foil-type sachets kept away from light help chips stay crisp.
Storage
Store packed chips in a cool, dry place away from light.
Customer types
  • Households
  • Street and market snack buyers
  • Retailers
Distribution
Sold in small packs through shops, kiosks, markets and street vendors.
Possible business models
  • Own small snack unit
  • Buy-process-resell
  • Supply to small shops

Fresh fruit with good handling and ripening

Selling fresh bananas or plantains at the right stage by handling them carefully and managing ripening.

Processing
Harvest carefully, avoid dropping or piling fruit, and decide whether to sell green or let fruit ripen. Traders can start ripening in covered containers.
Equipment
  • Padded harvest and carrying aids
  • Crates or baskets
  • Shaded holding area
  • Covered ripening containers
Packaging
Protective packing that stops fingers rubbing, bruising or being crushed.
Storage
Low temperatures slow ripening and keep fruit green for longer.
Customer types
  • Households
  • Market traders
  • Retailers
Distribution
Sold through markets, traders and shops; gentle transport reduces damage on the way.
Possible business models
  • Aggregation and trading
  • Ripening and sales service
  • Careful transport service

Plantain pastry (cooked and pounded)

A smooth, flexible dough made from cooked unripe plantain, eaten as a staple.

Processing
Cook the unripe pulp in water or steam, then pound it in a mortar until smooth.
Equipment
  • Peeling area
  • Cooking pot or steamer
  • Mortar and pestle
  • Clean work surface
Packaging
Fresh product, so packing is simple and clean; protect it from contamination.
Storage
Best eaten or sold soon after preparation; keep covered and cool.
Customer types
  • Households
  • Eating places
  • Market buyers
Distribution
Sold fresh locally to households and food sellers.
Possible business models
  • Prepared-food business
  • Supply to small eateries

The customers, routes to market, business models and many practical tips on this page are suggestions, not findings. Know something better? Suggest an improvement →

Business opportunities around banana

Sources and further reading

The handling, processing and storage information on this page draws on the sources below. The lists of customers, distribution routes and business models are practical suggestions, not findings from these sources. Links open in a new tab.

Examples describe possibilities, not guaranteed results. Prices, demand and rules vary by country and season — verify locally.