[ClearCase_guy]

In the first half of the 20th century, just about all bananas sold in the marketplace were Gros Michel variety. But a fungus came along and virtually ended that type as a profitable crop. Since the 1960s, stores have instead been selling Cavendish variety of banana, which is all most of us know, but not the same as the Gros Michel.

If the Citrus greening disease continues to get bad, we may need to find some sort of similar replacement crop. Or else do without oranges entirely.

BTW: “Gros Michel” means “Big Mike” for those who follow Obama and his lovely wife with the banana.

[MinorityRepublican]

Is the Gros Michel banana still around or is it extinct today?

[Road Warrior ‘04]

Citrus processing (orange/grapefruit juices) plants have been reduced to about 8-10 (from 30-40) due to greening and other citrus maladies. Just not enough product to process. Plants have to run at nearly 100% capacity to be profitable.

Did I mention that probably 60-70% of Florida citrus is owned by Brazilian concerns?