Thanks to Geothermal Energy! Iceland Could Grow Tropical Fruit

Iceland could grow Bananas and other Tropical Fruits not associated to colder countries, thanks to Geothermal Energy! it is importance when we know the outcome of Panama Disease on Bananas Farming around the world.
STRAWBERRIS, TOMATOES, CUCUMBERS, AND... BANANAS Nearly all tomatoes and cucumbers consumed in Iceland are domestically produced in greenhouses. Various other fruits, including tropical fruit like bananas are also produced in greenhouses.

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Despite the fact that Iceland’s climate is not ideal to growing bananas, Iceland probably has Europe‘s largest banana plantation. Located in a greenhouse in the village of Reykir in South Iceland, the Icelandic banana production is managed by the Icelandic Agricultural University. The annual harvest is admittedly quite low, only 500-2,000 kg of annually.

Bananas were first produced in Iceland in 1941. Using cheap geothermal energy to heat the greenhouses and cheap electricity to provide illumination during the darkest months, it was possible to grow bananas in the middle of the North Atlantic. Import duties on imported foodstuffs and fruit meant the Icelandic bananas were competitive, and Icelanders consumed domestically produced bananas until the late 1950s. Since 1959, however, all bananas sold in stores have been imported.

The banana plantation in Reykir is operated by the Icelandic Agricultural University which has been growing bananas at its research station in Reykir since the 1950s. The bananas have remained completely isolated since then, safe from contact with plant diseases, including the Panama Disease.


Published by Djamel Benrejdal, Scarborough, North Yorkshire