BANANA EXPORTS UP BY 56% IN 2017

Increase in exports is attributed to better inputs in the production and a fairly good weather in 2017

The banana industry plays a vital role in Philippine economy being one of the leading exporters that generates dollar revenue as well as providing jobs in the countryside particularly in Mindanao. MELANI PROVIDO DA-HVCDP coordinator

The country’s banana industry saw a 56 percent increase in export in 2017 generating total revenue of $1.128-million.

Based on the the data from the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), the increase in exports is attributed to the expansion of established banana plantations, bigger sizes of bananas due to less weather disturbances, and application of technologies and better inputs.

Stakeholders in the country has recently reviewed its industry road map which aims to make fresh and processed products consistent in meeting the global standards.

“The banana industry plays a vital role in Philippine economy being one of the leading exporters that generates dollar revenue as well as providing jobs in the countryside particularly in Mindanao,” said Melani Provido, Department of Agriculture - High Value Crops Development Program Coordinator (DA-HVCDP).

Speaking during the recent workshop for finalization of Banana Industry Road map in Davao City, Provido stressed that in this time of stronger dollar and weaker peso exchange rate, the industry greatly helps in generating dollar reserves.

She, however, said there are still several challenges that confronts the local banana industry which include high cost of inputs especially with the current high inflation and the incidence of pests and diseases particularly Panama disease. She also cited lack of market for GCTCV 218 clones, which is supposedly resistant to Panama disease./