(KPL) ANA Foods Co., Ltd. plans to increase its imports of bananas from Laos about 1 million boxes in 2025. These shipments will be transported via Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, as part of an expanded logistics strategy.

In 2024, ANA Foods imported about 700,000 boxes of bananas from Pakxong district in Champassak province, Laos. The bananas have been praised for their sweetness and quality.

The Embassy of the Lao People's Democratic Republic in Japan expressed its strong support and appreciation for the expansion of Lao bananas in the Japanese market, which will not only increase trade volume but also contribute significantly to strengthening economic cooperation between the Lao PDR and Japan, according to the company.

Beyond its business operations, ANA Foods has also contributed to the Lao-Friend Hospital in Luang Prabang through a donation facilitated by the Japanese nonprofit organization Friends Without A Borders JAPAN.

This move comes as Laos and Japan prepare to celebrate the 70th anniversary of their diplomatic relations on March 5, 2025.

Speaking with the Lao News Agency, ANA Foods President Mr. Hisayoshi Tanaka shared details about the company’s history and growth. ANA Foods, initially founded in 1955 as Shibata Industries Co., Ltd., became wholly owned by All Nippon Airways Trading Co., Ltd. in 1977. The company now sells over seven million boxes of bananas annually, with each box weighing about 13.5 kilograms.

Over the years, ANA Foods has in Taiwan, the Philippines, and Ecuador bananas from other importers. In partnership with ANA Trading, the company launched its own brands, the Philippine banana brand “Frescana” in 2001 and the Ecuadorian banana brand “TANABE Farm” in 2005.

In 2006, the Tokyo branch of ANA Foods received ISO 9001 certification for its banana business. The company began importing bananas from Laos in 2021, following disease outbreaks that affected crops in the Philippines and global weather changes affecting banana producing countries. By 2024, imports from Pakxong had risen significantly, highlighting Laos as an important supplier.

To promote Lao products, ANA Foods participates in Lao cultural festivals in 2024, providing free samples of bananas to attendees as part of its marketing and cultural engagement efforts.

KPL