1 the banana chain macro economics of trade adelien van de kasteele on behalf iuf amsterdam february 1998 bananas production in 1996 world most important fruits was around 400 million tons compete with grapes for second place behind citrus both accounting 13 14 total fresh fruit has been increasing by 3 per year over last decade are grown all tropical regions and one oldest known because they used as a staple food importance domestic consumption growing quickly being harvested whole round since introduction cultivated onto us market 100 years ago increased rapidly currently about 20 is entering dominated three companies dole foods chiquita brands del monte produce presence plantation central america colombia together controlling 65 exports followed ecuatorian company noboa which controls another 10 european fyffes some 6
