Coffee exports lower than estimation

Coffee exports lower than estimation

(KPL) Champassak has said its export of coffee was 14 per cent lower than last year and 13 per cent lower than its plan.
An official of the province claimed that the decreased coffee production was due to heavy rains in last year.
However, coffee still ranks the largest share of the province’ export. The export of this produce is 13,476 tones, valued at 23.4 million US dollars.
Mr. Somboune Vongkhamla, Deputy Head of Champassak Provincial Industry and Commerce, said in recent weeks, the province’s coffee export is valued at 40.2 million US dollars. Agricultural produce under Contract Farming, the cooperation project between the province and Thai government to promote the production of the locals to ensure food consumption and processing in Thailand, ranks second largest share of the province’s export.
The Contract Farming agricultural produce, mostly peanuts, banana and cabbage, is valued at 9.2 million US dollars. Processed wood products ranks the third largest share of the province’s export, valued at 6.3 million US dollars.
Previously, Mr. Sinouk Sisombath, President of Lao Coffee Exporters’ Association, said his association estimated this year’s production of coffee would only be up to 20,000 tones, valued at US$30 million and this level of production is 30 per cent less than any normal year because of the heavy rains of this year’s wet season, which was unsuitable for coffee production in the province.