Laos Coffee Exports Rise, But Concerns Emerge

The Bolaven Plateau Coffee Producers Cooperative (PCFC) anticipates a demand of 56 containers of Arabica and five containers of Robusta for the 2025–2026 harvest season, signaling an expected expansion in coffee exports. Established on August 7, 2007, the cooperative was founded with support from the Bolaven Plateau Agricultural Development Project (PAB), a joint initiative between the Lao and French governments. It comprises smallholder coffee farmers from Pakxong in Champasak Province, Laongam in Salavan Province, and Thateng in Sekong Province, dedicated to producing high-quality, chemical-free coffee. As a 100 percent farmer-owned cooperative, PCFC's coffee is certified under organic agriculture and Fair Trade standards. The cooperative also promotes sustainable farming through intercropping coffee with fruit trees, aiming to preserve ecosystems and increase farmers' incomes. Currently, 484 member households cultivate 1,611 hectares of Arabica and 371 hectares of Robusta coffee. PCFC operates its own coffee pulping center, processing mill, organic fertilizer plant, and coffee roasting facility. It collaborates with domestic and international banks and financial institutions, enabling members to access stable markets and export coffee directly to roasters in Laos and overseas. Looking ahead, Chairman Sithong Phetlatsy stated that the cooperative plans to expand its membership and production capacity while strengthening both domestic and international market access. It will also continue providing training, technical support, and knowledge-sharing to members, management, and staff to improve production standards and organizational capacity. He said the cooperative aims to contribute to building a self-reliant and resilient economy while increasing farmers' incomes and improving their quality of life, with the long-term goal of becoming a model cooperative at the local, national, and regional levels. Sithong also encouraged members to maintain high-quality production standards and work together to steadily increase productivity and income. For the current season, the cooperative is offering 125,000 kip per kilogram for Arabica green beans and 92,000 kip per kilogram for Robusta dry parchment. In separate developments, the Department of Treatment and Rehabilitation under the Ministry of Health has ordered the temporary suspension of medical services at BLL Hospital following allegations circulating on social media that illegal organ transplants may have taken place at the facility. As digital platforms enable information to spread at unprecedented speed, the circulation of fake news and disinformation has become increasingly sophisticated. In response, Lao media is playing an increasingly important role in verifying information and providing timely, accurate, and credible reporting. Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone visited the 100 MW solar power project in Tha Sano, Bung Thale and Nam Bo villages, Kaysone Phomvihane, Savannakhet Province, on July 21, 2026, where he encouraged authorities and developers to advance renewable energy while ensuring sustainable local development. Source: KPL Laos News