Typhoon slashes Philippine banana crop - FreshFruitPortal.com

Typhoon slashes Philippine banana crop

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Typhoon slashes Philippine banana crop

Typhoon Pablo, also known as 'Bopha', has destroyed close to a quarter of the Philippines' banana crop with losses estimated at US$318 million, website Mb.com.ph reported.

Pilipino Banana Growers and Exporters Association (PBGEA) executive director Stephen Antig told the website the weather event, which has so far killed 475 people, left 10,000 hectares of banana plantations in its wake.

Antig added there were fears the associated floods may have spread Panama disease, which can have devastating effects on banana crops.

The US$318 million loss figure is calculated based on the US$196 million value of the ruined harvests and damaged facilities, while the rest of the cost would be in rehabilitating farms which will take several months.

Related story: 'Crises won't last forever', says Philippine banana chief

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