Banana scare slips by

Eat easy, banana lovers, New Zealand’s favourite fruit is back on the shelf after a short supply scare.

A delayed ship from Ecuador has affected Foodstuffs supermarkets this week – Pak ’n Save and New World – with a lower than normal amount of bananas available.

Supply was expected to begin returning to usual from February 28.

Foodstuffs head of external relations Antoinette Laird said they had encountered the odd supply issue with bananas before.

‘‘We’re a long way from the majority of the world’s banana plantations.’’

She said they were working with suppliers to manage supply and ensure bananas were available everywhere, including Manawatu.

‘‘We source from both Ecuador and the Philippines, which means that while we’ve had issues with one of our deliveries thanks to the delayed arrival of a ship, we do still have product available.

More than 400,000 kilograms of bananas were sold every week in the North Island Foodstuffs stores alone, Laird said.

‘‘That’s testament to the fact that bananas continue to be the most popular fruit by far in Kiwi households.’’

Countdown supermarket’s Annual Trolley Report this week revealed in the year to October 2016, bananas were the most bought item, pushing 2015’s winner, Homebrand $1 white bread, to second place.

New Zealanders bought an average of 18 kilograms of bananas per person last year, irrespective of a record price spike in August.

Palmerston North shopper Amy Koot said she regularly purchased bananas as everyone in her family ate them.

‘‘I think they are a good source of fibre and protein and they are not super sugary. We bake with them as well, they are versatile.’’