Bananas: Is it the end of our favourite fruit?

Bananas: Is it the end of our favourite fruit?

Author: Sky News June 28, 2026 Duration: 56:05

It's a story that spans continents and centuries, taking in corporate empires and CIA-backed coups and it's all about bananas. Could Britain's favourite fruit be wiped out?

Find out how to subscribe to our members club Sky News Insider here: skynews.com/stuffmatters

They're cheap, convenient and available in every supermarket, every day of the year. Most of us barely give them a second thought.

But behind the humble banana lies one of the most extraordinary stories in the modern economy, and one of the most remarkable supply chains ever created.

Ed Conway follows the fruit's journey from vast plantations in Latin America to a giant ripening warehouse outside Coventry, uncovering a hidden world of global trade, technological innovation and corporate power.

Do you have any thoughts about the episode or questions for Ed? Email us at stuffmatters@sky.uk and maybe we'll feature your email in an upcoming Q&A episode!

Sky News Insider requires a paid subscription and is available to UK listeners aged 18 and over. Find out more and subscribe at skynews.com/stuffmatters

In this episode we spoke with:

  • Harry Wallop, consumer journalist and Columnist for Times Business
  • Marcelo Bucheli, professor at Gies College of Business and author of "Bananas and Business: The United Fruit Company in Colombia, 1899-2000"

The Stuff Matters series producer is Jake Otajovic. The production team includes assistant producer Valeria Rocca, specialist producer Aoife Yourell, and video producer Charlie Bell. Our bonus episodes are produced by Soila Apparicio. The editor is Philly Beaumont, and the commissioning editor is Paul Stanworth. Sound design and mixing by Luke Hatten. Original music for the series composed by Klong and Ed Conway.


Each weekday, The Sky News Business Podcast cuts through the noise to bring you the essential business and economic stories that are shaping the moment. Hosted by Sky News, this daily audio briefing goes beyond the headlines, offering clear analysis and context directly from the financial hubs. You’ll hear on-the-ground reports from the City of London and global markets, alongside conversations with analysts, executives, and policymakers who are directly involved in the day's developments. It’s designed for anyone who needs to understand not just what happened, but why it matters-whether you're managing investments, running a business, or simply trying to make sense of complex financial news. The podcast provides a reliable, digestible format to stay informed, blending timely updates with deeper discussion that connects the dots between economics, policy, and real-world impact. Tune in for a straightforward and authoritative take on the forces driving commerce and finance.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 9

Stuff Matters with Ed Conway
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