Banana exports to UK to resume soon

The Banana Services Unit in the Ministry of Agriculture has targetted July 17 as the recommencement date for the exportation of bananas

to the United Kingdom (UK).

Minister of Agriculture Saboto Caesar made the announcement on July 11 and has encouraged farmers to place as much focus as possible on quality.{{more}}

The Agriculture Minister stressed that farmers must continue to work steadfastly to lift the standards and quality of the banana production, as since Hurricane Tomas lashed this island in October 2010, we have not exported in a regular way to the UK.

Caesar said that many islands’ banana production, including St Lucia and Dominica, were affected by Tomas, but since then St Lucia has returned to export and left St Vincent and the Grenadines and Dominica behind.

“Quality is the watchword. We have been able to control the Black Sigatoka and I want to encourage farmers to pursue all correct practices, de-leafing and fertilizing, so we do not have a decline in what we have achieved,” stressed Caesar, who did not reveal the quantity of bananas that will be included in the first shipment. (LC)