The line graph illustrates the changes in banana prices in four countries – Japan, France, Germany and the USA – over a ten-year period from 1994 to 2004, with figures measured in US dollars.
Overall, the prices of bananas in Japan were consistently higher than in other countries despite some fluctuations, making this country dominant during the whole period. The figures for Germany and France experienced similar trends, whereas banana prices remained almost unchanged in the USA.
In 1994, the cost of bananas in Japan was about 1.80$, the highest among other countries. This figure increased sharply, reaching a peak of around $2.95, before a sharp decline to $2 per kilogram. After slight increases, there was a low of $2, the lowest price of all time, before returning to its initial 1994 price by the end of the period.
After a stable start of $1.60, France saw fluctuations in terms of banana prices and reached its highest in 2001 with more than 1.70 us dollars. Prices in Germany were relatively low and changed over time; the highest cost was recorded from 1997 to 1999, with $1,50. By the end of the period, costs in the USA recovered to 1.50 dollars, remaining in its second position. As for Germany, there were stable prices of $1.30 in the following years.
The cheapest country among all was the USA, with under $1, which saw a noticeable increase in 1995. Over the next nine years, there were no significant changes, except a decline of $1 in 1997, then levelled off at $1.10.