This article examines the world banana market over a long period. It brings to light the great diversity in production systems, from gathering economies to agro-industrial plantations and the strong internationalisation in the sector in Central America and in the Andes, in certain countries in Africa and the Antilles. The European market, highly coveted, is the first in size and price. The world market is dominated by three "historic" North American multinational companies, a British and an Irish firm, new entrants. At the present time, it is divided into two large zones : open market for the dollar-banana, protected market for the European Union. The perspectives for the globalization, after the end of the Bcmo, are strong, taking into account the multiple technological, financial and especially geopolitical restraints which weigh on this very symbolic product. In this turbulent context, the partners in the sector will have to develop original differentiation (quality, brands) and alliance (critical size) strategies to ensure their survival. In order to accomplish this, it is indispensable to have a long-term forecast.
