Bananas Remain an Affordable Staple Thanks to Efficient Supply Chains and Low Production Costs

• Bananas have defied inflation and remained affordable at $0.62 per pound while other produce prices have increased significantly • Americans eat about 90 bananas per person annually; bananas are ubiquitous in U.S. grocery stores and culture • Bananas were introduced at the 1876 World's Fair; the United Fruit Company then acquired land and railroads to vertically integrate banana production • Most U.S. bananas are grown in Guatemala which is the world's 3rd largest banana exporter
• Cavendish bananas make up most U.S. imports; their abundance, short shelf-life and low labor costs keep prices consistently low