U.K. Visit Report
November 25/ 2021
Minister for Agriculture, Hon. Alfred Prospere, to fulfill his commitment to the farming community by ensuring that the National Fair Trade Organization receives the necessary assistance to better serve the needs of the banana industry.
Banana remains the main export commodity in Saint Lucia and contributes significantly to foreign exchange. With a thrust towards improving the productivity and quality of banana production in order to secure the foreign banana markets, the Ministry of Agriculture has pledged its commitment to work directly with the National Fair Trade Organization (NFTO) to address the issues plaguing the banana industry.
Officer in Charge of the NFTO, Heidi Simo- Serieux, who was part of the Saint Lucian delegation led by the Minister of Agriculture to the United Kingdom last week, highlights the NFTO’s inability to continue to absorb the cost of quality claims incurred due to substandard fruits shipped to the United Kingdom and then discarded.
“What it means for us is that our growers must be more honest. I will repeat we need more honesty. That small scar, the wrong clipping of the crown, or any little defect that you see may at one point manifest itself and cost us a lot more. Growers must continue to engage all workers in the operation of the bananas, everybody must be involved, and everybody who touches that fruit must understand the technicalities of producing that fruit and getting it to the market in one piece”
Minister Prospere states that during his interface with a representative from U.K.-based shipping line, Geest Line, he was made aware that the entity will maintain its position fostering banana trade links between Saint Lucia and the United Kingdom.
“We are also concerned that it takes a minimum of twenty-one (21) days for our bananas to get to the U.K. from Saint Lucia, and we have expressed concerns to Geest to indicate the importance of attempting or reducing the length of time it takes. If we can have a shorter period between St. Lucia and the U.K. it will make things a lot better for us”
Minister Prospere continues to encourage farmers to persevere through the hardships of the current banana industry as his ministry formalizes a strategy to improve the conditions of the banana sector.
Coming off the heels of the discourse with banana market stakeholders in England, Minister for Agriculture, Hon. Alfred Prospere brought to the fore some of the challenges in the banana industry and the way forward of addressing them.
Over the course of a week, a Saint Lucian delegation led by Ministers of Agriculture Hon. Alfred Prospere and Commerce Hon. Emma Hippolyte met with banana market stakeholders in the United Kingdom to discuss the challenges that currently plague the banana trade between the two countries.
Last week’s visit to the U.K. market followed a letter from the ripening company Fives, which expressed concerns about the status of bananas being shipped to the UK from Saint Lucia.
Minister Prospere emphasizes the importance of addressing issues of banana quality and production levels, particularly with the increase in commercial farming from other regions, making the market more competitive.
“The supermarkets are saying to us that this is a business. It is not about a hobby, it is a business and they have to make a profit just as our farmers must make a profit. We cannot continue to supply the supermarkets with poor quality bananas if our farmers have to survive this industry. Our engagements got to the point where Fves and Salisbury indicated to us that they are not ready to sign a new contract with us by February next year unless we indicate to them that we produce consistent quality so that our bananas can meet the requirements of the market.”
With over 600 farmers directly involved in banana farming, the banana industry plays a significant role in improving the livelihoods of Saint Lucians. Minister Prospere highlights the importance of maintaining quality standards in order to continue exporting bananas to markets in the United Kingdom.
“Looking at the small share that we occupy in the market, we must understand that St. Lucia’s bananas if we do not raise the standards in quality they will shut the door. There is still a small window open for us as Salisbury is saying to us that we need to have an action plan on bananas, we need to have a strategy on bananas, and is only when we are satisfied that Saint Lucia is doing that then they will begin discussions with us. Waitrose, luckily for us has given us some level of indication that by end of March into April they will be willing to sign a contract with us
Minister Prospere states that the cabinet of ministers has decided to form a task force to lead the entire banana sector in terms of a strategy and action plan. He also reiterates the government’s commitment to assisting farmers in obtaining the necessary inputs for production.
“In the coming weeks, my ministry will be collaborating with NFTO to engage all our farmer groups, all our farmers in Saint Lucia to ensure that we discuss a very important issue of quality and quantity. This is the only way Saint Lucia stands a chance come next year”
With a renewed focus on securing the existing banana export markets and expanding into new markets, Minister Prospere urges all farmers to ensure that the quality of bananas they produce remains their highest priority.