Early this year Cyclone Yasi struck northern Queensland. As this is one of the two major banana growing regions in Australia we were warned that prices of bananas would go up for a while.
Now, 6 months later, banana prices sit at $14/kg with no price reduction on the horizon! It is abominable that in a country with several banana -growing regions prices can be so high. During a non-shortage period, a typical price for bananas in Australia is between $1.50 and $3.50 per kg. Now it is 4 to 8 times more. Ouch!
Nearby New Zealand is comfortably importing its bananas from Ecuador. Banana prices in Kiwiland are around a $2 mark.
Due to protectionist policies in Australia, neither of the two large grocery chains are willing to import inexpensive bananas from Asia or Latin America. They figure that we'll just suck it up and pay the high prices.
Well, they won't be getting a single penny from me at these prices. I have not eaten a banana in over 5 months, so please, have one, or two, for me. You can even send me a picture of yourself eating a banana. I won't mind it. :-)
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