Indonesia’s banana leaves exports are seeing growing demand overseas, with usage primarily for single-use food wrappers and also for medicinal and health-related products. The country shipped about 7,905 tonnes of banana leaves in 2018, valued at USD 4.2 million (about IDR 6.5 trillion). Much of the increase in demand comes from sustainability trends in foreign markets, where banana leaves are valued as eco-friendly alternatives to plastic.

Countries like Thailand, the United Kingdom, Vietnam, and the United States are among the current importers of Indonesian banana leaves. Other promising markets include Japan (estimated export potential of around USD 313,000) and Australia (around USD 2,400) — though actual exports to those countries haven’t yet matched those estimates. The article suggests that with rising international concern for environmentally friendly packaging and the versatile uses of banana leaves (from food wrapping to medical uses), there’s real potential for Indonesia to expand its export volumes, particularly by targeting markets that prioritise sustainability. 

Source: https://popularitas.com/berita/peluang-ekspor-daun-pisang-ke-luar-negeri/