CAFETIERE

Laos

Laos most important agricultural are currently listed as timber and coffee which grown since 1930s by the French colony. Mostly arabica, robusta, and exelsa were grown during 1970s and many of the old coffee tree were replanted to aim 26,000 hectares of coffee plantations expanded in addition to carrying out rehabilitation of the old trees. Information on the type and quality of the coffee grown, and the regions of cultivations are not much. There are some type of coffees from Laos, which Lao Mountain Coffee blends are claimed as the best from Laos; Elephant Express, White Parasol, Naga, and the very best, Peaberry Coffee. According to industry officials, robusta coffee production in Laos totaled some 10,000 tons in 1995, which is worth about $20 million on the international market, out of which 9,481 tons were produced in the south of the country. The 1995-production from the Bolaven Plateau--comprising areas of the three southern provinces of Champasak, Saravan and Sekong--saw a 50 percent increase, up from just 6,000 tons in 1994.