1,935 boxes of bananas shipped to UK Sunday
Minister of Agriculture Saboto Caesar has described the resumption of shipment of bananas to the United Kingdom as an âoverwhelming experienceâ.{{more}}
âOne box of banana shipped to the UK is a success, but close to two thousand boxes is indeed a great success!â Caesar told SEARCHLIGHT.
According to Caesar, 1,935 boxes of bananas were shipped to the United Kingdom on Sunday, April 15.
âIn all, there were 43 pallets, amounting to 37 tonnes that were shipped off to the UK,â he said.
Sundayâs shipment came following an eight-week suspension of shipment of bananas to the United Kingdom, which allowed the Ministry to implement âOperation Cut Backâ for banana farms that were severely affected by the Black Sigatoka disease, Caesar said.
According to information provided by the Minister, loading of the ship was completed at 10:20 p.m. last Sunday.
In a brief interview yesterday, a proud Caesar said Sundayâs banana shipment was as a result of âOperation Cut Backâ.
âOperation Cut Back, in its fifth week has reported significant success.â
He further stated that Sundayâs shipment was an âoverwhelming experienceâ for him and other members of his ministry along with the farmers, âwho have worked so hard to ensure the recommencement of shipment of bananas.
âIt brought significant joy not only to myself, but also to the Chief Agricultural Officer who I must commend for taking the entire Sunday off to visit the fields where the farmers were cutting.
âWe are all overjoyed and the farmers were extremely delighted,â the Agriculture Minister said.
Bananas were last exported to the United Kingdom on January 27, 2012, when 180 boxes of bananas were shipped. Since then, all the bananas exported from these shores have been sold on the regional market, either through Winfarm or through regional licences.
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