2006 was to have been a year fraught with danger. The change in the external part of common market organisation of bananas and the end of the quota system for dollar origins on 1 January 2006 could have resulted in a huge influx of fruits likely to send quay prices and economic returns for sector stakeholders to the bottom of a deep, dark pit. FruiTrop draws up a preliminary balance while awaiting the publication of the final supply figures.