Banana farmers all around the island of Saint Lucia are bracing themselves for possible tough times in the industry, mainly because of the not-so-promising future UK market. The situation has to do with the implementation of a quota system which agricultural export trader Winfresh introduced in Saint Lucia several years ago.
Prior to tropical storm Kirk last year, which destroyed between 80 and 90% of the banana industry, Winfresh was selling 15,000 boxes of bananas per week to the UK, but projections for 2019 fall to 6,000 per week.
A large part of the drop is the result of one customer ending the purchase of conventional Fairtrade bananas and, instead, converting to Fairtrade organic, which is not produced in Saint Lucia.
In a bid to cushion the impact such a decision will have on their businesses, banana farmers are now turning to the local market to sell their produce. Some of those markets include Massy Stores and individual buyers who export bananas to several Caribbean islands.
William Theodore, the chairman of the Banse Farmers Group in Laborie, said he foresees problems in a few months when the banana production in Saint Lucia will significantly increase. According to Theodore, who sells bananas to the National Fairtrade Organization (NFTO) and Massy Stores, the projection of 6,000 boxes per week for this year is inadequate. He said he hopes Winfresh will rethink its decision and increase the amount.
According to an article on loopslu.comΒΈ Minister of Agriculture, Ezechiel Joseph has vehemently opposed the market cut and has urged Winfresh to go out and find additional markets. He has met with officials of Winfresh and NFTO to discuss his concerns.