The Banana Journey: from Nursery to Table

24/03/2025

Bananas are one of the most widely consumed fruits in the world, but few people know the fascinating journey it takes before it reaches our tables. Every year, 140 million tons of bananas are produced worldwide, including 80 million tons of dessert bananas. Of this volume, 20 million tonnes of "dessert" bananas are exported, 35% of which go to the European Union. It is the main destination market, followed by North America and the Far East (mainly China and Japan). Thanks to a partnership between MSC and SIPEF Plantations J Eglin, we have followed its incredible journey from the nursery to the end consumer.

Founded in 1959, Plantations J. Eglin is a major player in banana production in Côte d'Ivoire, the largest banana producing and exporting country in Africa. Charles de Wulf, General Manager of Plantations J. Eglin explains: "Currently on a cultivated area of 1350 hectares, we produce nearly 60,000 tons of bananas annually for export, most of them for the European market and the United Kingdom."

It all starts in a nursery, where young banana plants grow under the watchful eye of farmers. These plants are carefully selected before being transferred to the vast plantations of Dabou and Azaguié in Côte d'Ivoire. There, thanks to sustainable agricultural techniques, they are fed, irrigated and protected until they reach maturity. For several months, the banana plants are closely monitored. A sophisticated irrigation system ensures optimal growth, while farm workers ensure their good health. When the banana bunches reach full maturity, the painstaking work of harvesting begins.

Each fruit is carefully cut and transported to the packaging centres. Before being shipped, the bananas go through careful sorting. At the packaging centre, they are washed, graded and packaged with care to ensure their freshness throughout their journey. This process is essential to preserve the quality of the fruit and meet international standards. Transport is a crucial step in the banana journey.

Thanks to its logistics expertise and state-of-the-art refrigerated containers, MSC ensures optimal transport of bananas from Côte d'Ivoire to international markets. As the world leader in refrigerated transport, MSC transports more than one million refrigerated containers per year. Annick Okenni, Reefer Manager at MSC Côte d'Ivoire explains: "The packaging and stuffing of bananas play a key role in the process of ensuring the quality of the product from departure to arrival. We, as a carrier, supply the latest generation refrigerated containers. These containers maintain an ideal temperature, ensuring that the fruit is fresh throughout the crossing."

With the iReefer remote tracking and control solution for reefer containers, customers can track their temperature-controlled shipments in real-time, at any time and from anywhere in the world. Available 24/7 on our myMSC eBusiness platform or via API, iReefer gives you quick and easy access to real-time information about your shipment – including information on position, temperature, humidity and more.

Beyond logistics, the banana sector plays an essential role in the local economy. It employs thousands of people, from cultivation to export, and contributes to the prosperity of rural communities. MSC's partnership with local producers promotes sustainable development and inclusive economic growth. From the nursery to the table, the banana follows an exceptional journey, requiring the expertise and coordination of many actors. Thanks to MSC's commitment to innovative and sustainable logistics, this beloved fruit continues to delight consumers around the world, while supporting local growers and economies.

Each banana consumed is the result of a long journey, imbued with passion, know-how and innovation.

Read more on MSC reefer solution: msc.com/reefer-cargo