PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad – Gone are the days when every fruit vendor in T&T had a variety of bananas. Over the last few years, “sikyè”, “silk”, “gros michel”, and “lacatan” bananas are seldom seen in our market and local grocery. Why does T&T import thousands of tonnes of bananas annually when such a desired fruit can be grown locally?
In order to comprehend the fundamental modus operandi of the diminished local banana market, we must journey a few decades back when the local banana market was sufficient and sustainable for the country. Data available from the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations show that between 1961 and 1983, the highest year of banana imports was 1978, importing 69 tonnes.
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