The All Island Banana Growers Association says praedial thieves have been wreaking havoc on the local banana industry, resulting in huge losses for farmers.
Some have also been pushed out of business.
The Association says with the shortage of the produce due to the dry spell, it is more lucrative for thieves as the price of bananas has increased.
"We have farmers reporting that 70 per cent of their crop has been lost to praedial thieves.... we are taking about investment of over 10-million dollars. That's the effect praedial larceny is having on the banana industry at the moment," said General Manager of the Association, Donald Elvey.
As a result, the association has partnered with the Jamaica Constabulary Force's Praedial Larceny Unit to tackle the theft of produce in the industry. Elvey, joint workshops have been held to educate farmers in banana growing areas.
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