Banana exports to US suspended

DAVAO CITY , Philippines – The Department of Agriculture (DA) has suspended the export of Philippine Cavendish bananas to the United States after super typhoon “Pablo” devastated Compostela Valley last week and destroyed more than 14,000 hectares of banana plantations with losses estimated at P8 billion.

Exports were suspended despite the approval by the US of the importation of at least 3,000 tons of bananas from the Philippines.

Pilipino Banana Growers and Exporters Association (PBGEA) executive director Stephen Antig said their group is still verifying the report from the DA.

“We will ask first about the suspension,” Antig said.

Agriculture Secretray Proceso Alcala said the government would provide assistance for the rehabilitation of the country’s banana industry.

The banana industry stakeholders have also asked the government to help in seeking from the Land Bank of the Philippines a moratorium on the payment of loans of the banana growers, given the tremendous losses incurred by the plantation operators.

Close to 60,000 workers were affected by the destruction of the 14,000 hectares of banana farms in Compostela Valley.