How bananas are made

Bananas are one of those fruits that don't have a particular growing season and are available fresh all year round. The banana plant grows from a bulb unlike most fruits which grow from seeds. It can take anywhere from 9 to 12 months from planting the bulb and when the plant will be ready to harvest. The flower tends to appear during the sixth and seventh month.

Bananas need moist soil with good drainage in order to grow well for this reason most bananas that are exported have grown within 30 degrees of the equator. This is because bananas grow best in tropical regions with an average temperature of 27°C.

Banana growing is tough work and can tend to be a long strenuous process from clearly the jungle preparing the soil, ensuring the weight of the bananas is correct and then covering the bananas with plastic bags so they are protected from bugs, the wind and maintain the correct temperature.

After nine months while still green, the bananas are harvested and carefully inspected because they cannot be exported if the are bruised. If they are damaged they will be sold at local markets at a much lower price.

Bananas are then transported to the ports to be exported in large refrigerated ships. It can take up to 12 days for the bananas to reach Europe. When being transported they are kept at a cool temperature of 13° C to prolong their self life. Next they are sent to ripening rooms and from then on to the shops.


Credits

video

DOLE Europe GmbH

http://www.bananalink.org.uk/how-bananas-are-grown