“This is a time of pathos and sadness rather than projections and optimism,” said Alan Pearson from Hart & Friedmann when the Journal spoke to him about the devastation hurricane Ivan has caused in the Caribbean.
Pearson says that there will be a six-week Cuban citrus season as shipments are already on route to the UK, due to arrive on September 23, though delayed by a week. “Volumes will be down and the damage from the hurricanes is considerably less in Cuba. But forget expectations for this season. With all this in mind, we need to put the human cost into perspective.”
Meanwhile, official sources from Puerto Rico reported the banana industry on the island of St Lucia had suffered million-dollar losses after being hit by hurricane Ivan, destroying 40 per cent of the harvest.
According to findings by the National Emergency Management Organisation, damage to the island was minimal, but the banana industry has been badly struck with estimated losses of up $2.2 million.
St Lucian prime minister, Kenny Anthony and agriculture minister Ignatius Jean, announced that they are to meet this week with representatives from the banana industry in order to evaluate the damage caused by Ivan.
A spokesperson from the regional Banana Union confirmed that the industry had also suffered major damage on the islands of St Vincent, the Grenadines, and Grenada.
So far this hurricane season, nine tropical storms have formed in the Caribbean region of which five have become hurricanes, including Ivan. An 11th tropical depression formed near to the Lesser Antilles this week, which could develop into hurricane Jeanne.
The average number of named hurricanes during a season is 10, so if Jeanne does form, the seasonal average will have been reached well before the hurricane period ends in November.
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