The Journey of a Banana

Bananas are grown all over the world

In Ecuador, many people depend upon banana farming to make a

living

Photo credit: davidacostasilva via flickr CC BY 2.0

Banana farmers struggle to make enough money as world prices are low. Big

companies can produce bananas for less money than smaller, family-run farms

Growing bananas is hard-work. It takes a lot of work to grow and

care for the banana trees

Bananas are wrapped in plastic to protect them while they grow

After 9 months the bananas are harvested

The bananas are washed, labelled and boxed ready to be shipped to New Zealand

Fruit buyers are very picky. Each banana is measured and checked to ensure it meets the needs of New Zealand’s supermarkets.

Bananas travel by boat from Ecuador to New Zealand. The journey takes 3 weeks.

6c6c18c18c 12c12c

6c6c

18c18c

GrowersShipping, importing and packaging

Whole-saler

Retailer

Banana Trading Company

(This activity is adapted from Go Bananas, Oxfam 2000)

60c

Split of Income

How is Fairtrade helping people growing bananas?