Dim Outlook for Madagascar's Bean Industry

WASHINGTON - Sep 29/04 - SNS -- The long term outlook for dry edible bean production in Madagascar is not positive because of the lack of fresh seed stock, which has resulted in ongoing quality and production problems, industry participants in that country told a recent delegation from the United States' National Dry Bean Council (NDBC).

"The Malagasy bean industry members indicated that Madagascar's bean production is threatened because of deterioration of seed stocks," the NDBC said in its trip report.

"By way of example, Madagascar used to produce several thousand tons of high quality butter beans that were exported to France, the U.K. and other destinations worldwide. Madagascar has all but lost these export markets due to serious quality problems that have resulted from deterioration of the seed stocks," the NDBC said.

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