Surinamese banana exports back in focus for Europe

"We are a 'price maker' in the region and we would like to keep it that way," says Nitesh Ramlakhan, Director of Production Operations at Food and Agriculture Industries (FAI). As Suriname's only banana plantation, the company occupies a unique position. With a focus on flavour, a realistic outlook, and a long-term vision, FAI is moving forward in the Caribbean market and beyond.

The plantation has existed since the end of the last century, but has had a turbulent history. In 2014, FAI was privatised, and 90% of the shares went to Belgium's Univeg. "When the Belgians left, the company was in bad shape," says Nitesh. "There had been hardly any investment in proper crop management, and disease pressure was high. Moko had destroyed hundreds of hectares in a short period."

Strategic rebuilding
In 2019, the Surinamese government took over the company, including its high debts. "It employed 1,100 people at that time," says Nitesh. "The government did not want to lose those jobs. After a thorough crop evaluation, the decision was made to uproot everything and start again from scratch."

That decision appears to have paid off. In Jarikaba, 100 hectares have now been replanted, with another 100 hectares planned by early 2026. In Nickerie, 175 hectares are already in place. "In addition, we currently have 70 hectares of plantains and 3.5 hectares of tarragon fruit."

© Pieter Boekhout | FreshPlaza.com... and internal quality

Regional market and local sales
FAI is currently targeting the regional market. "We export to Trinidad & Tobago, Barbados, and Guyana. Every week, we can ship about 15 containers," Nitesh explains. "In each of those countries, we have regular importers who operate modern ripening cells. In Trinidad, our bananas arrive in two days. To Guyana, it takes just five hours by ferry."

The domestic market also remains important. "We have a regular buyer who supplies major supermarkets," says Nitesh. "We also work with eight buyers who purchase fruit in bulk and package it for market vendors." There are even industrial outlets: "Every week, 1,000 kilos go to a banana flour producer and 300 kilos to a crisps manufacturer."

© Pieter Boekhout | FreshPlaza.comLadies check for length and quality, and make combs of 4 or 5 bananas, just what the customer wants. Everything for export must be 20+ cm long; shorter is for the domestic market and processing into chips or mash.

A notable absentee is French Guiana. "That is officially France. Bananas there now come from Guadeloupe and Martinique, two islands that are also part of the French Republic," says Nitesh. "But in 2028, the IPA rules will expire, and we will again be able to export freely to our eastern neighbour." Aruba, Bonaire, and Curaçao are also among the potential regional sales destinations in the near future.

© Pieter Boekhout | FreshPlaza.com
The combs are placed on a plastic tray. A tray corresponds to the contents of a carton.

"The Switie tastes better"
Suriname may not be a banana giant like Ecuador or Colombia, but according to Nitesh, the difference lies in taste. "We are even three dollars a carton more expensive than our competitors in Trinidad. Still, customers choose us. The Surinamese banana is sweeter. That's because of the clay soil. In the Caribbean, our bananas are sold under the fitting brand name 'Switie'. They sit next to bananas from Costa Rica and other origins, but ours stand out."

With its current production capacity, FAI can serve the regional market well, but a return to Europe, as in 2012, when 150 containers a week went to France, would require much more. "We would have to expand our acreage substantially. At peak harvest, we now ship 21 to 22 containers a week. In the low season, it's 14 to 15," Nitesh explains. "Unless a European partner invests and offers a multi-year contract, we will stay focused on the region. Still, Europe remains attractive, even if we would be a 'price taker' there."

Quality and climate pressure
FAI grows the Cavendish variety CV902. "That variety performs very well here," says Nitesh. "With support from the French research centre CIRAD, we now have diseases like moko under control." This requires a strict management system: disinfection of footwear and tools, clean clothes for workers every day, and restricted access per plot.

Yet challenges remain. "In Suriname, both yellow and black sigatoka are present. Against sigatoka, we even spray by aircraft," says Nitesh. "And climate change makes things even harder. Drought, heat, extreme rainfall, they all hit harder. In droughts, irrigation costs us a lot in fuel; in rainy periods, drainage costs rise. A banana plant dislikes dry soil, but too much water is also harmful. A balance is needed. The shocks of climate change definitely take their toll on the farm."

A recent six-month drought served as another warning. "For three months, we could not irrigate because the salinity in the water was too high," says Nitesh. "We are now thinking about building reservoirs. The Saramacca River is lower than ever."

People, people, people
Another growing challenge is labour. "The active population in Suriname is ageing," Nitesh observes. "And the influx of workers from Haiti has stopped because of the political and social situation there." FAI is now looking at guest workers from Vietnam, the Philippines, or Cuba. "Banana cultivation is labour-intensive. Many processes cannot be automated. You need about one person per hectare."

© Pieter Boekhout | FreshPlaza.com
From left to right: Aartie Autar (packing station supervisor), Nitesh Ramlakhan (production operations director), Amernath Badrie (cultivation manager), Kisoorkoemar Goerdien (packing station & harvest manager), Maniesha Kalidien (head of agronomics & research, Jarikaba Estate)

Further expansion of banana cultivation will therefore require new policies. "We are asking the government for a migration strategy, with longer residence permits. Not just for FAI, but for the entire agricultural sector." In cocoa, which FAI is also considering as a diversification crop, one worker per three hectares is enough to manage the crop. "Moreover, the entire fruit can be utilised, not only the beans, but also the shell. And the profitability is higher than that of a banana. It would be a good complement."

FAI has cultivation sites in Nickerie and Jarikaba and is GlobalG.A.P. and Rainforest Alliance certified.

For more information:© Pieter Boekhout | FreshPlaza.com
Nitesh Ramlakhan (Director Production Operations)
FAI Suriname (Food and Agriculture Industries N.V.)
Lakatanweg 173
Jarikaba, Saramacca (Suriname)
Tel: +597 328-221
[email protected]