Costa Rica registers world's highest banana production in 2006
Costa Rica harvested an average of 2,524 boxes of bananas per hectare in 2006, the highest banana productivity in the world, beating Colombia's 1,724 and Ecuador's 1,400, according to data published in Monday's Spanish language newspaper, La Nacion .

Jorge Sauma, general manager of the National Banana Corp., told the newspaper that high-quality workers and advanced technology had contributed to granting Costa Rica top place among producers.

In particular, he stressed the so-called "schooling" plan for training technicians and farm workers.

Agricultural experts study at the highest levels at European universities and large-scale farms help the nation remain ahead in research and equipment, he added.

Costa Rica exported 107.4 million standard boxes in 2006, up 21 percent from 2005, while banana exports were worth 603 million U.S. dollars in 2006, up from 473 million in 2005.

About 56 percent of the banana industry in Costa Rica is owned by independent producers, and 44 percent by multinational firms.