Plantain

The plantain is grown very similarly to the banana and therefore harvested similarly too. There are plantain plantations where the fruit is grown and consumed in the local market and shipped abroad as an export item. In Guatemala, there are four major banana companies which are Dole, Chiquita, Del Monte, and Fyffes. Most of the plantain crop, similar to the banana, is exported to different parts of Europe and North America as it is a crop that is grown in tropical and sub-tropical climates.

The website BananaLink.org.uk has also provided data statistics on the supply chain and power imbalance that exists from the plantation workers all the way to the retail stores that sell the plantain fruit. I’ve included the graph below and as can be seen it is the retail stores that benefit the most from the whole business transaction from farm to store, and the plantation workers are in the group that captures the least benefit in the trade negotiation. Additionally, the crop of plantain similar to the banana crop is exported and traded by contract with quality standards and prices set and established in the contract which also guarantees the end retail price that we pay at the grocery stores.

 For too long the power dynamic has been imbalanced in favor of the big corporations, transnationals, and multinationals of the world without ensuring dignity to the workers who suffer the greatest. There needs to be a change in neoliberal economics in favor of all parties involved, especially the workers.

 It is apparent that no other single measure has provided the same level of benefit and assurances to workers like that of the democratic right of workers to unionize and stand up for their individual and collective rights by way of unionizing and uniting their voice in unison against modern day slavery and exploitation. Corrupt employers, abusive staff, and greedy corporations need to be put in check and held accountable and unions appear to be one of the strongest mechanisms in addition to strong national labour laws that countries can pass and enforce in support of their citizens.

Avelar, B. (2025, November 7). Indigenous Guatemalans denounce exploitation on Mexican farms: ‘Bananas are worth more than us’. El Pais.

Carlos, J. (2021, September 29). Guatemala Banana Guide. Tridge.com. Retrieved November 24, 2025, from https://www.tridge.com/market-guides/GT-cavendish-banana

Salopek, M. (n.d.). Unit 3: Accountability and Democracy Under Globalization. Thompson Rivers University. Retrieved November 24, 2025, from https://moodle.tru.ca/mod/book/view.php?id=2984036&chapterid=232014#mod_book-chapter

(2022). The role of retailers [Photograph]. Bananalink.org.uk. https://www.bananalink.org.uk/news/trade-unions-make-a-big-difference-for-guatemalan-banana-workers/

(2021, January 28). Trade unions make a big difference for Guatemalan banana workers. Bananalink.org.uk. Retrieved November 24, 2025, from https://www.bananalink.org.uk/news/trade-unions-make-a-big-difference-for-guatemalan-banana-workers/