Grenada to import bananas from St Vincent

Grenada has resumed the importation of bananas from neighbouring St Vincent and the Grenadines after a prolonged drought seriously affected cultivation, officials said.

The Marketing and National Importing Board (MNIB) said that it would import the fruit on a fortnightly basis until local farmers are able to meet consumer demand.

"We are just coming out of a drought and everybody knows the situation with black sigatoka (leaf spot disease)," said MNIB Chairman, Byron Campbell.

"We have to supply our customers and it was decided that we will resume the importation of bananas because what we are presently receiving from local farmers cannot meet local demands."

He said that MNIB would be ordering a 20-foot container every fortnight "until we can sustain ourselves locally".

In 2009, Grenada was similarly forced to import bananas from its neighbour because of low production levels here.

Campbell said the imported bananas carry the fair-trade label ensuring that the fruit is of a certain standard and quality.

Fair-trade certification also means that the fruit commands a better price for the producer.

Campbell said that the MNIB would be adopting several initiatives including the supply of fertilisers and increases prices as incentives to get local farmers to increase production levels.

Grenada is one of the four Windward Islands exporting bananas to the United Kingdom market.

- CMC