LINSTEAD, St. Catherine:
BANANA EXPORTS To one of its traditional markets, the United Kingdom, have slipped over the past two years.
Managing Director of the Banana Board, Ren Gonzales, speaking at the Bogles Banana Research Station on Tuesday, said in 1999 the industry exported 42,000 tonnes of good quality bananas to the UK, but this year it was down to 40,000 tonnes.
Giving reasons for the decline, Mr. Gonsalves said this was mainly due to the severe drought that affected the island's agriculture; coupled with praedial larceny.
On the latter problem, the Banana Board boss said he was heartened by the interest displayed by the Old Harbour Police who recently took into custody two men caught stealing good quality bananas from the Bogles Research Station and are now awaiting trial in the Old Harbour Resident Magistrate Court.
Tulloch Estates in Bog Walk which was identified by the Banana Board as a major producer of good quality bananas, says annually it is losing approximately $10 million of export bananas to the overseas market to praedial thieves, according to managing director, Roger Turner.
In the meantime several banana growers across the parish are calling on the courts to impose more severe penalties on praedial thieves.
