Where Do American Bananas Come From?

Bananas are one of the most popular fruits in the United States. In fact, they outperform oranges and apples combined. In North America, bananas have been sold since the 1800s, although the bananas originally sold differ from those sold today. The reason for this is that in 1890, a nasty disease hit the banana-growing regions of the Caribbean and Latin America, and it cut off almost all major bananas during that time. In the early 1900s, research began with the goal of developing disease-resistant bananas, which led to the development of the “Cavendish” banana variety which is most commonly sold in grocery stores today. Bananas are mostly grown on very large plantations where many workers live on site. A major goal of the US government in the late 19th and early 20th centuries was for the country to grow its bananas on a large scale for both domestic consumption and export. This was seen as a space to gain ground in global trade, as bananas are an important part of the American diet, and the United States is known to be among the world’s largest banana importers. Most American bananas are produced in the tropics and are shipped long distances before reaching the country’s markets. as bananas are an important part of the American diet, and the United States is known to be among the world’s largest importers of bananas. Most American bananas are produced in the tropics and are shipped long distances before reaching the country’s markets. as bananas are an important part of the American diet, and the United States is known to be among the world’s largest importers of bananas. Most American bananas are produced in the tropics and are shipped long distances before reaching the country’s markets.

Since bananas are among the most consumed fruit in the world, a fruit that in many of these countries has few limits in its growing season, the governments of the producing countries have sought to find measures to further increase production and improve their economies. This includes better means of preventing diseases affecting crops, such as “Panama disease”, and ensuring adequate care for workers on the numerous banana plantations. The United States itself produces only 0.008 million tons of bananas each year and relies heavily on bananas from other countries to meet fruit demands. These countries on which the United States is based are described below.

10. Dominican Republic – 9.22 million pounds imported

Banana production is widespread in this country. It is practiced by both large-scale breeders and small farmers, who use it both in mixed crops and through monocultures (strictly bananas). The Dominican Republic benefits greatly from exporting this fruit and last year exported bananas totaling nearly £ 9.22 to the United States. Banana cultivation provides a lot of rural labor due to its labor-intensive nature. In the Dominican Republic, the banana industry is the second largest employer, following only the government. The sector offers jobs for 6,000 farmers and employs 700 people in canning plants.

9. Panama – 50.65 million pounds imported

Initially, bananas tasted better, lasted longer, were more resilient, and did not need artificial ripening. They were better fruits because there were no serious diseases affecting them. But since this country has experienced Panama Disease, a fungal disease, banana production in Panama has been significantly reduced. However, in 2014 Panama exported over 50 million pounds of bananas to the United States, making it one of the country’s largest suppliers for this crop.

8. Peru – 61.65 million pounds imported

In 2014, Peru exported over 61 million pounds of bananas to the United States. However, banana production in this country is associated with many problems that significantly challenge the workers on the plantations. Workers have to work long hours in tropical conditions to care for the plants and their crops. The income of these workers is generally low and, in some cases, the wages are not enough to support their families.

7. Nicaragua – 87.88 million pounds imported

Nicaragua exports a major portion of its bananas to the United States and last year exported bananas totaling over 87 pounds. However, some of the pesticides sprayed on banana plantations in this country have continued to raise controversy and alleged diseases. The Northern Nicaragua region was once rich in agricultural wealth, but locals say this has changed after the introduction of a pesticide that has greatly affected workers’ health.

6. Mexico – 489.25 million pounds imported

Mexico is one of the largest banana producers and exports a large portion of its bananas to the United States. The country has over 75,000 hectares of which 15,000 are in the states of Chiapas and Tabasco. However, the country only had a small share of $ 3.71 million in the European Union in the year 2014. Still, it sold over 489 million pounds of bananas to the United States.

5. Colombia – 912.04 million pounds imported

This is another large banana producer and exporter that exported bananas totaling over 912 in pounds to the United States in 2014. The country accounted for 25% of the world’s foreign banana profits in 2009.

4. Honduras – 1,188.93 million pounds imported

Banana production supports the economy of Honduras to a considerable extent despite many natural problems such as hurricanes, which have very little fruit production. Agriculture in this country produces 60% of all its jobs and half of the earnings from exports of goods. Bananas have been among the country’s largest exports for a long time, and in 2014, the country exported over 1.1 billion pounds of bananas to the United States alone. Most of the production takes place on the north coast and is mainly controlled by two American fruit conglomerates: Dole and Chiquita. However, the operations of these two companies in the country have been significantly impacted by strikes and Hurricane Mitch in recent years.

3. Costa Rica – 1,824.69 milioni di sterline importate

In the year 2012 alone, banana exports from this country had a net value of $ 815 million. But one problem that affects banana production in this country, and which may continue to reduce production, is the presence of “scale insects” and “scale insects”. These pests have now affected over 240 thousand hectares of plantations in the Atlantic region. While the two insects barely hit the bananas to a point where they are inedible, they cause unappetizing imperfections that most exporting firms won’t accept. The two insects are related to aphids and, just like aphids, they feed on banana sap to the point of weakening the plants, causing banana leaves to fall off. Insects also produce a sticky substance known as “honeydew” which promotes the growth of mold on the fruit. One factor facilitating the spread of insects is climate change in the region.

2. Ecuador – 1,730.32 million pounds imported

Ecuador is the second largest banana producer for the United States and a leading exporter taking its fair share of the global market. In the year 2009, this country secured more than $ 6.66 billion in banana sales in the global market as a whole. This country was among the largest exporters in 2014 and its exports to the United States amounted to over 1.7 billion pounds.

1. Guatemala – 3,348.75 million pounds imported

The largest banana supplier to the United States, this country is the third largest banana exporter in the world, headed by Costa Rica and Columbia. Productivity in this country is now 4,000 per hectare, and its exports have increased by 25% in recent times, standing at $ 623.4 million today. However, most critics argue that high production was achieved through the unfair exploitation of non-union workers in the country. Sources show that banana company workers can only earn $ 3 a day with no additional benefits. This is contrary to what the US Labor Education in the Americas Project (USLEAP) expects. A little better, union workers make $ 10 a day with some additional benefits

 

by Abdullah Sam
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