Food: Market observer: Banana does not become in short supply

According to market observers, the layoffs of banana workers in Panama have manageable consequences on the banana offer in Germany. There are no signs that the offer becomes considerably scarce and more expensive, said the managing director of the Federal Association of German Food Trade, Philipp Hennerkes.

The analyst Michael Koch from the agricultural market information company also expects a stable banana range in retail. The influence on prices is also manageable, he told the German Press Agency. According to Koch, around four percent of the imported bananas from Panama came last year. The proportion of the country in global production is low and, according to UN, was 0.3 percent.

Kaufland announced that the supply of goods was ensured. The REWE group said that they did not expect any effects on customers. Aldi Süd and Aldi Nord, according to their own statements, do not run Chiquita bananas in the range.

Chiquita releases thousands of banana workers in Panama

The international banana giant Chiquita had announced the release of thousands of employees in Panama who have been on strike for almost a month. Due to the unjustified work of work in farms and operating centers, economic losses of at least $ 75 million (66 million euros) were created, the company said.

According to media reports, around 4,900 employees are affected by the dismissals without a fixed contract. The company has a total of around 7,000 employees in the Central American country.

Since April 28, the banana workers have participated in a strike of different unions against a pension reform. Together with teachers, indigenous and construction workers, they also protest against a recently signed safety agreement between Panama and the USA, which enables increased US military presence on the Panama Canal.