Coffee exports to European markets on the rise
Coffee exports to European markets on the rise
Organic coffee growers on the Bolaven Plateau expect to export around 62 containers of beans to the European market next year (2014-2015).
Last year's exports totalled 53 containers which had a total export value of more than US$4 million, an increase of around US$200,000 if compared to 2012.
Bolaven growers export a large volume of coffee to the European market including France, Sweden and Belgium.
According to a recent report released by the Bolavan Plateau Coffee Association at the annual meeting in Bachieng District, Champassak province, the association has 55 groups, 1796 families; and a total coffee plantation area of 5,992 hectares.
The area of the Bolavan Plateau consists of Pakxong district, Champasak, Laongarm district, Saravan province, and Thatang district, Xekong province.
The association explained that the growth of organic coffee in the south comes as people in Europe and other countries are more interested in good quality coffee from places such as Laos.
The association also intends to support coffee farmers and increase high quality coffee production for export within 2015, aiming to reach more than one million kilos of exports to Europe and other markets.
A popular coffee grown in southern Laos known as Dao recently also expanded its market share in neighbouring Thailand and Vietnam.
Meanwhile Lao coffee is becoming increasingly well known and accepted around the world because of its quality and organic production methods, according to a report by the Asian Development Bank last year.
Most coffee grown in Laos is cultivated on the Bolaven Plateau. About 95 percent of the crop is exported with the rest sold locally.
vientiane times
