bananas

Paris-based UGPBAN, the union of banana producers of Guadeloupe and Martinique, has clashed with French retailer Auchan over banana prices.

On 19 May, Auchan launched an advertising campaign promoting the sale of bananas at cut prices - €0.75/kilo in allits stores across France.

Allegedly, Auchan's buyers pressurised UGPBAN to participate in the campaign. According to UGPBAN president, Eric de Lucy, the union refused for fear of devaluing Antilles bananas.

Nevertheless, Auchan apparently kept bananas originating from the Antilles in its campaign.

In response, UGPBAN has reportedly decided to take legal action and has suspended all commercial relations with Auchan to avoid its bananas being associated with a cut-price operation.