Bangladesh's discarded banana stems could yield 37,778 tonnes of fibre and $94M in exports

Bangladesh’s banana farmers could turn discarded banana stems into a source of income, as researchers estimate the waste could produce nearly 37,778 tonnes of banana fibre each year, creating a potential $94 million export opportunity. According to the study published in the Journal of Hunan University, titled ‘Unlocking the Potential of Banana Fibre Exports from Bangladesh: A Comprehensive Marketing Strategy Analysis’, the country’s extensive banana cultivation leaves large quantities of pseudo-stems largely unused, even though they can be processed into fibre for textiles, packaging and paper. With global demand for sustainable materials growing, banana fibre could offer Bangladesh a new export product while creating employment in rural areas. But reaching this potential will require investment in processing, quality control, research and international marketing.Banana waste offers Bangladesh a $94 million export opportunityThe fibre estimate becomes particularly significant when its potential export value is considered. The study’s findings state that Bangladesh could earn “over $94 million annually” by exporting banana fibre at a price of $2.50 per kilogram. At the study’s esti...