Exporters of banana products from Negros Occidental and Negros Oriental are also affected by the outbreak of coronavirus disease or Covid-19.
Jonathan Lo, chief executive officer of Merzci Pasalubong, revealed that his partner in China has stopped receiving imported banana chips from the province since middle of January this year because of the export stoppage to China following the Covid-19 outbreak.
“We used to export P1 million worth of banana chips called Bana Master to China every week. We were just starting,” Lo revealed.
He said that they used to export a 40-footer high cube Bana Master to China since August 2019.
Bana Master is made from locally grown banana called “sab-a”.
Lo said they get the supply from local producers in Negros Occidental and Negros Oriental especially in Guilhulngan, Kabankalan City, Salvador Benedicto and Cadiz.
He said the local producers of banana are losing because of export stoppage to China.
Meanwhile Lo reveals that Merzci Bread and Pastries is celebrating its 25th anniversary this year.
The company is also looking forward to give back to the community with various activities lined up for the whole year.