World fruit production went up 54 percent between 2000 and 2019, to 883 million tonnes. Five fruit species accounted for 57 percent of the total production in 2019, down from 63 percent in 2000. Use the data in the passage to answer the following questions. [Data source: FAO]

Of the five fruit species mentioned, the share of bananas and plantains increased by 1% from 2000 to 2019. Watermelons in 2019 were 6 percentage points lower than bananas and plantains in 2000. Apples remained stable at 10%, and oranges + grapes together were half of bananas and plantains in 2019. What was the percentage share of bananas and plantains in 2019?

Correct Answer: 18%

Let us analyze the given information step-by-step to find the percentage share of bananas and plantains in 2019:

1. According to the text, the total share of the top five fruit species in 2019 was 57%.

2. Let the percentage share of bananas and plantains in 2019 be represented by $B$.

3. The share of bananas and plantains in 2000 was 1 percentage point lower than in 2019:

$B_{2000}=B-1\%$

4. Watermelons in 2019 were 6 percentage points lower than bananas and plantains in 2000:

$\text{Watermelons}=(B-1\%)-6\%=B-7\%$

5. Apples remained stable at 10%.

6. Oranges and grapes together were half of bananas and plantains in 2019:

$\text{Oranges + Grapes}=0.5B$

Testing the given option of $B=18\%$:

- Share of Bananas and Plantains in 2019 = 18%

- Share of Bananas and Plantains in 2000 = $18\%-1\%=17\%$

- Share of Watermelons in 2019 = $17\%-6\%=11\%$

- Share of Apples in 2019 = 10%

- Combined share of Oranges and Grapes in 2019 = $0.5\times 18\%=9\%$

Thus, the percentage share of bananas and plantains in 2019 is 18%.