Overview of Intermediary Actors on Agroecological Products in Lao PDR

Abstract

This report provides an overview of the market intermediary landscape, value chains related to agroecological products in Lao PDR, based on a desk review, consultations, a validation workshop. Agroecological and organic agriculture in Laos has been supported since 2004 through the PROFIL project led by Helvetas and the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, which established national organic standards and the Lao Certification Body (LCB). Organic products—primarily coffee, rice, tea, and vegetables—are marketed both domestically and internationally (e.g., Thailand, EU, United States). Many farmers practice organic methods by necessity due to the high cost of chemical inputs but still face challenges meeting formal certification requirements.