Emperor Banana

The Emperor Banana derives its name from its appealing outer appearance and delicious taste.  It is considered to be a high-end item in China and is priced about two to two and a half times the price for normal bananas.  The Emperor Banana originated in Thailand and is new to China.  Historically, Wanqingsha Town in Nansha District in Guangzhou,Guangdong Province has been a major area for growing traditional bananas.  In 2003, the company launched a collaborative effort with Nansha’s local government to find alternative fruits to grow in Nansha district.  The company has developed a special method for cultivating seedlings for this species in its research laboratories.  The seedlings mature and are ready for planting in approximately three months and are harvested between seven and nine months later. The Guangzhou plantation is now one of the only two Chinese growers of this special kind of banana.  During 2008, the company’s farmers produced 6,600 tons of these bananas.