Banana imports rise to meet shortfall.

Byline: HOPEWELL RADEBE

Banana imports rise to meet shortfall Land and Agriculture Editor SA HAS been increasing its imports of bananas at a much faster rate than its exports of the fruit since 2005, indicating a significant drop in local production, according to figures from the National Agriculture Marketing Council and the Department of Agriculture.

Bonani Nyhodo, a senior researcher at the council, and Heidi Phahlane, a council economist, said a significant production drop began in 2001 and worsened in 2004. Low output prompted an increase in imports in 2005. The value of banana exports last year amounted to R2m, a 32% drop from 2008. Banana imports were valued …