Sainsbury sells more than 2,000 metric tons of bananas, or about 10 million fingers, weekly. To put this in perspective, Windward Islands farmers produce about 100,000 metric tonnes annually.  Driving this decision by supermarkets is the increased demand from consumers for ethically produced and traded products. To qualify for the Fairtrade label, bananas must be grown under environmentally sustainable conditions and traded with respect and fairness for the people behind the products.

Fairtrade guarantees better prices as well as social premiums for local communities. The Grenada Sustainable Fairtrade Group comprises approximately 30 producers, many of whom began shipping under the label in 2000.  Social premiums were invested in schools at Birchgrove, Saab and Loretto. Hurricane Ivan brought banana exports to a standstill in 2004. As the industry recovers, Chairman of the Group, Birchgrove farmer Claudius Pierre, said one of the main obstacles to re-entering the Fairtrade market is the presence of ‘black sigatoka’. The Ministry of Agriculture allocated $400,000 to help farmers control the disease.

“Black sigatoka is almost under control. Once farmers continue to cut and destroy the affected leaves and keep their fields clean, I expect Grenada could be ready to resume exports of Fairtrade bananas by November,” Mr. Pierre said.  

Since Ivan, bananas have been consumed locally, with a small amount exported to Trinidad through the Marketing and National Importing Board (MNIB).  The MNIB is currently the main domestic retailer and regional exporter of bananas and purchases about 1 million pounds or 450 metric tons of bananas annually. 

“Here is a market opportunity for all the bananas we can produce.  Our farmers are ready, willing and able.  Let’s make it happen.  The economy will benefit, the farmers will benefit and the rural communities will benefit,” according to MNIB General Manager Fitzroy James.