Banana prices not appealing to thieves

THE high price of bananas might be driving fruit fans nuts, but it’s not turning them into thieves.
Fruit shop operators told the Gazette they had not had problems with thefts in the wake of the cyclones that wiped out 80 per cent of the nation’s crops in March, sending banana prices soaring from $2 to around $11 per kilo.
Dandenong market was recently said to be rife with banana thieves, prompting traders to take lengthy security measures to protect their stock.
The situation was much different here, operators at Pakenham and Emerald said.
The high cost of bananas may have catapulted them into ‘luxury’ item status — along with petrol — but residents have not lost their sense of humour.
One Pakenham business recently advertised bananas at $29.99, and threw in a free fishing rod.