Rotorua - we do have bananas. But some local supermarkets and grocery stores are struggling to keep up with demand.
This week, mechanical problems forced a shipment of New Zealand-bound Dole bananas to return to the Philippines, leaving supermarket chains scrambling to source an alternative supply.
New Zealand has the highest rate of banana consumption in the world per capita, but that could take a hit with supplies expected to be down 30 per cent this week.
This week, Foodstuffs retail general manager Alan Malcolmson said the supermarket chain could expects shortages.
"I am anticipating a couple of weeks, maybe three weeks at the most."