The Banana Republic of Iceland
Óskarsson has banana-growing in his blood as his grandfather, Guðjón H.Björnsson began banana production at Reykir in the forties. mbl.is/Sigurður Bogi Sævarsson
Iceland's first attempt at growing bananas took place in the 1930's when the combination of inexpensive geothermal heat and the high price of imported fruit led to the construction of several greenhouses where bananas were produced commercially. When the government removed import duties in the 50's, domestically bananas became rare on the market. At Reykir, south Iceland, bananas have been grown since 1942 and although banana production is not commercially viable, enthusiasts at the Agricultural University of Iceland continue growing bananas.
"The bananas are now fully grown and almost ripe," says Elías Óskarsson, gardener at Reykir near Hveragerði, south Iceland. "Soon we'll have plenty of fruit here." He says that growing bananas is not particularly complicated. "The temperature needs to be at around 20- 25 degrees centigrade and the humidity at 80 - 90 percent. The humidity is produced by the plants themselves. " Óskarsson has banana-growing in his blood as his grandfather, Guðjón H.Björnsson began banana production at Reykir in the forties.
Icelandic bananas are unfortunately not commercially available in Iceland, but who knows, if you visit Reykir you might be able to taste one.
