BANANA

The original wild banana plant was

native of South East Asia and was

introduced to Caribbean in 1516.

The banana industry in St. Lucia is

second to tourism as the largest earner

for foreign exchange.

The main varieties grown for export

are the Valery, Rohusta and the Giant

Canandish. It takes 9-12 months for a

banana plant to bear a single bunch of

fruit. After harvesting the fruit, the mature tree is cut down, leaving a young plant to grow in its place.