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06th Feburary 2010
Stability in Banana Production
By Frank Girard

Bananas remains central to the agriculture sector despite a decrease in production over the years from over 133,000 tonnes in 1995 to 30,007 in 2005 and an increase to 38,359 tonnes in 2008.
There had been very little change in banana production for Saint Lucia for the period January to December 2009, when compared to the same period of the previous year. The volume of bananas exported to the United Kingdom (UK) market for 2009 has been recorded as 33,891.8 tonnes. While this represents a decline of over 5,000 tonnes, there was an increase in fruit sold on the local market and fruit exported to the regional market.
According to the Deputy Manager of the Banana Production & Management Unit (BPMU), Mr. Raphael St. Mark, “Banana sold on the local and regional market is estimated at over 3,800 tonnes. This represents an increase of 2, 357 tonnes (62%).” He continued : “It is a clear that some of the fruit that would normally go to the UK market is now diverted to the local and regional markets. This is a clear indication that there is potential for growth in that sector.”
 
 

The production recorded does not take into account the loss of fruit due to leaf spot infestation experienced at the beginning of the year. It should also be noted, that fruit consumed locally is only accounted for at the major supermarkets and hotels. This does not take into account fruit sold at smaller retail outlets and the traditional local market.
Therefore, total fruit production for St. Lucia in 2009 and exported to the regional and European market stood at 37,691.8 tonnes.
However, the Ministry of Agriculture, Lands, Fisheries & Forestry continues its agricultural diversification programme with a two-pronged approach: one geared towards satisfying domestic needs and demands and the other for export to generate foreign exchange. The government is implementing strategies that will increase the competitiveness in the banana industry and develop a diversified agricultural sector around bananas.
The said efforts are also expected to expand the agriculture sector by creating an enabling environment for a more entrepreneurial approach to agriculture and contribute to the socio-economic transformation of rural communities that are expected to be positively impacted by a revitalized sector. This will have an impact on economic growth, food security and employment.

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