Value of mushroom exports up

JAKARTA (JP): The value of country's mushroom exports rose by 17 percent to US$34.88 million last year from $29.72 million the previous year, according to the Ministry of Agriculture.

Sumarno, the director general of horticultural development at the ministry, said here on Tuesday that in terms of volume, the country's mushroom exports accounted for 18 percent of the total vegetable exports that reached 155,000 tons.

He said that the mushroom exports, which only reached $10.52 million in value in 1998, would be further developed to generate more foreign exchange for the country.

Indonesia's mushroom export markets include the United States, Japan, Australia, European countries and the United Arab Emirates.

"We will promote modern farming technology to boost the country's mushroom production," Sumarno said at a media conference. (03)