High banana prices because of limited supply

Strikes in Martinique and Guadeloupe restrict export

The strikes in Martinique and Guadeloupe, already lasting more than 30 days, prevent the export of fruit. Because of the strikes by producers, fighting for better working conditions, no bananas are being exported. The French supply has stopped and therefore fewer bananas are available and prices rise.

As a result of heavy flooding fewer bananas are available from Costa Rica and supply from Ecuador is also less. According to a trader the shortage of bananas is the result of unfavourable weather conditions and good prices being obtained locally.

A trader reports that Aldi pay 18 euro per box of green bananas ex port, for which last year only E17 euro was paid and previous to that 14 euro only. It is expected that this situation will remain for a while, as there are no immediate solutions to the strikes in Martinique and Guadeloupe.