Banana exports drop after govt tightens regulations on growers
The export value of bananas in the first six months (Q1 and Q2) of this year decreased compared to the same period last year and is expected to decline further. The drop in exports comes after the government called a halt to the establishment of large scale banana plantations in a bid to prevent environmental impacts, with local authorities also taking stricter action against banana farms. Laos earned almost US$125 million from banana exports in Q1 and Q2 this year, while last year’s figure for the same period was over US$137.5 million, according to the Ministry of Industry and Commerce.