JPEPA signing to benefit pineapple, banana growers 

Other varieties of bananas from the Philippines, such as seniorita, latundan and lakatan, will now be more accessible to Japanese consumers once the controversial Japanese-Philippines Economic Partnership Agreement (JPEPA) is ratified.

Trade Senior Undersecretary Thomas G. Aquino said that with the approval of the JPEPA, other varieties of fresh bananas such as seniorita, latundan and lakatan will now find their way onto the tables of Japanese consumers.

In 2006, Japan was the Philippines’ top export destination for fresh Cavendish bananas, amounting to $168.87 million and accounting for 42 percent share.

Aquino said that small farmers will greatly benefit with the opening of the Japanese market since 80 percent to 90 percent of the land areas planted to seniorita, lakatan, latundan and bungulan bananas are cultivated by small farmers.

Seniorita, latundan and lakatan are basically sold in the domestic market.