Don’t be alarmed, the Australian Banana Industry has advised, the current higher banana prices will not reach the record high levels experienced during 2006.

The ABI said that recent increases are a follow on from the severe impact Cyclone Larry had on the banana production cycle. History has shown that after a major cyclone, it takes two years for banana production to recover completely.

Currently the industry is experiencing a dip in production levels as banana crops enter the second growth phase of the post cyclone recovery process. Every winter sees a slight reduction in banana supplies due to colder conditions in growing areas, but the industry said this winter’s drop in supplies to be slightly more than normal.

Australian Banana Promotions Company CEO Craig Allen said production levels are at present “slightly lower than what we have experienced so far this year, since bananas returned to retail shelves in normal volumes in January”. “Bananas have seen higher than normal demand levels since their return as consumers were able to readily purchase Australia’s favourite fruit at a time when supplies have been higher than normal.

“As consumers learned last year, banana prices reflect supply and demand conditions in the marketplace, as well as the quality of fruit on offer,” Allen said.

Last year banana production was only 9 million 13 kg cartons, but so far this year nearly 8.5 million cartons have reached stores. In May last year only 333,000 cartons were produced. This year that amount was produced in the first week of May. So far over 1 million cartons have been produced this month.