China: promotion of disaster bananas

The effect of typhoon Mujigae, that hit South-Eastern China in October, is still visible. Although not all banana trees were blown down, a lot of leafs are rotten causing the banana trees to be unable to absorb nutrition. Also, temperatures were high earlier, causing bananas to ripen fast. This type of banana is in general not very popular with consumers.

Earlier the retail price was approximately 2 Yuan per 0.5 kilo. Currently the majority are sold for only 1 Yuan per 0.5 kilo.

Most affected are the two counties Bobai and Fumian. In order to lower damages of banana growers, the City Fruit Office has organized buyers from other parts of China to come to Yulin and buy the 'disaster bananas'. The City Fruit Office's bureau Chief, Peng, said that the disaster bananas do not sell because the quality is not good. As a result general prices lay between 0.20 Yuan to 0.30 Yuan. Buyers who came to Yulin after the typhoon have purchased approximately two million tons of bananas.

Source: Rural Business Network