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Bananas being smuggled from Suriname

Jul 04, 2012 News

Bananas are the newest addition to the list of products that are being smuggled from neighbouring country Suriname. While there is no shortage of bananas in the local market, or any crisis which has forced consumers to seek alternative sources for this fruit, the smuggling continues.
Kaieteur News understands that even as some persons have resorted to bringing bananas in the country from Suriname, illegally, the foreign produce is not being smuggled in large quantities.
Reports are that some persons source bananas from Suriname because of the different varieties being produced there.
One fruit vendor at the Bourda Market, told this newspaper that he is aware of bananas from Suriname being sold in the market a short while ago.
The prices were not low, yet the fruits sold out quickly.
“Well I can’t say for sure who was selling and who bought ‘because I don’t want problems, but I hear and know people bring in bananas from Suriname and so and sell it here.
It sell out quick, too, I think because it is a different type than what Guyana grows and I hear it real sweet. But I think is particular sets of people does buy them,” said the vendor.
He also explained that the relevant authorities got wind of the situation and began visiting the market occasionally.
They managed to seize some of the Suriname bananas.
The officers are also expanding their searches to other markets to identify bananas and other fruits which may have been smuggled into Guyana.
Minister of Agriculture, Dr. Leslie Ramsammy, told Kaieteur News that there have been reports of bananas being smuggled into Guyana and officers were deployed in the field (markets) to investigate.
They (officers) managed to seize some of these bananas due to the fact that the appearance of the Surinamese bananas is much different than those locally produced.
He stated that when produce such as fruits and plants are brought into Guyana illegally they pose a threat to the country since the items could have diseases.
“When people bring in these things they could have diseases and it will affect our country because our plants and fruits will be threatened. If the diseases enter into Guyana then our produce can become destroyed,” he said.

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