Japanese supermarkets are selling out of bananas by early afternoon as consumers respond to claims the fruit has weight-loss benefits, reports The Yomiuri Shimbun.
A number of television shows and books on the supposed dietary miracles of the fruit spurred the increased consumption, which began in June and spiked sharply in the last few days.
Supermarket chain Life Corp said banana sales in its 110 stores in the Kansai region were up 30 per cent on the same month last year, and in the week of 17-23 September sales were up 70 per cent.
The 30 per cent sales increase was also reported by the Izumiya Co supermarket chain, according to The Yomiuri Shimbun.
Dole Japan, the country’s biggest banana importer, said shipment volumes since June had increased 25-27 per cent on the same period last year, and a spokesman said this was the first time the fruit had been so scarce.
A spokesman from Fresh Del Monte Japan, another significant importer of bananas, said the company was trying to get hold of fruit usually exported to the Middle East.
The diet pushed by the TV shows that started the craze consists of having only bananas and room-temperature water for breakfast. Experts in Japan have explained the banana boom is simply an example of food faddism.
