Increasing Freight Costs and Possible Power Cuts in France Worry the Banana Producer

The attention of public authorities is drawn to the impact of inflation and also emphasises the threat of significant losses in the event of prolonged power cuts in the banana ripening rooms. From the beginning of 2022 until November, sea freight rates have increased sharply by 20 to 30% depending on the origin. Then from March there is an increase in domestic fuel prices, which are added to the cost of freight. But what worries professionals above all is the announcement of potential cuts on the power network. They believe that bananas can last a maximum of two hours without ventilation in the ripening rooms. Beyond that, the phenomenon of maturation and natural heating gets out of control and there will be significant product losses.