18% of banana plantations in eastern Mindanao destroyed by 'Pablo' — Trade Dept.

The Department of Trade and Industry on Friday said around 18 percent of banana plantations in eastern Mindanao were devastated by Typhoon Pablo.

 

Early estimates showed that 14,000 to 15,000 hectares of banana plantations were affected by the typhoon, executive director Senen Perlada of the department's Bureau of Export Trade Promotion said  in a text message to reporters.

 

"This represents around 18 percent of total banana planted hectarage," he said.

 

While this would definitely impact on the volume of shipments, Perlada said export revenues might even go higher as the supply in the world market tightens because of the calamity in southern Philippines.

 

“So, it is possible that higher prices may offset decline in volume, and [for] banana export revenues to [still] show growth," Perlada added. — VS, GMA News