The banana ranks eighth among the most important crops of human nutrition. It is also one of the most popular fruits in Germany, coming just after the apple group. Overall, every German consumes 11 kilos of bananas per year, and thus about 100 bananas. This makes Germany one of the leaders in the EU. One third of the total EU-import of bananas goes to Germany.
As a valuable source of fructose energy, similar to the potato, the banana is very popular. It contains potassium, magnesium, iron, and the vitamins A, B, C as well as E making it suitable as an everyday snack as well as sports nutrition.
While bananas are valued as a sweet snack in Germany, dessert bananas and, above all, the related vegetable bananas (such as cooking bananas) serve as basic foodstuffs in Asia and Africa. Only 15 to 20% of the total banana production is traded worldwide. The trade is based on only one banana variety, the Cavendish. This variety is characterised by high yields, resistance to Panama disease, longevity during transport, as well as consistent quality and appearance.
