Cassava Dominates Lao Agricultural Exports: Insights from the First Five Months of 2023
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In the initial five months of 2023, cassava emerged as the primary agricultural export of Laos, generating over US$408 million in revenue. The Lao News Agency reported insights from the Lao Minister of Planning and Investment at the National Assembly, indicating China, Vietnam, and Italy as key markets for cassava. The increase in cassava cultivation in Laos reflects growing demand, particularly from neighboring countries. Despite being poised to become a significant cassava producer due to its predominantly agricultural economy, many farmers encounter challenges stemming from limited access to modern cultivation techniques. In 2022, Laos amassed US$1.7 billion from agricultural exports, with expectations to reach US$2 billion in 2023. Agricultural exports in the first five months of 2023 accounted for US$901 million, constituting 75.14 percent of the annual target. Key export crops include cassava, coffee, bananas, maize, and sugarcane. The government's efforts to enhance infrastructure and production methods, including equipping laboratories with product analysis tools, providing grain separation equipment, and establishing facilities for crop drying and freezing, aim to bolster agricultural productivity and explore new market opportunities.