The Department of Agriculture (DA) wants to increase agriculture exports with the help of Japan’s new envoy to Manila.
During the courtesy meeting between Agriculture Secretary Francisco P. Tiu Laurel, Jr. and the newly appointed Japanese Ambassador Endo Kazuya, the officials delved into the agricultural relations between Manila and Tokyo and Japan.
Their focus was on the memorandum of cooperation (MOC) between the DA, Japan’s Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, and Fisheries, and the recently implemented ASEAN-Japan Midori Cooperation Plan.
The officials further explored topics on sustainable agriculture initiatives, trade facilitation, market access, and the upcoming inaugural meeting of the Philippines-Japan Joint Committee on Agriculture, which is scheduled for May 30 to 31.
Boosting fruit exports
Tiu Laurel also relayed the request to reduce tariffs on Philippine bananas, gain market access to fresh hass avocados, and revive of Philippine mango exports to Japan, those which have been sought after for quite some time.
According to the DA chief, the tariff reduction would make banana exports more competitive and will increase shipments to Japan. Bananas are the Philippines’ top agricultural export, with around 3.4 million metric tons (MT) recorded from 2020 to 2023.
“Between January and April 15 this year, banana exports from the Philippines to Japan reached 241,282 metric tons. Nine varieties of bananas are exported to Japan, but Cavendish is still most preferred in the Japanese market,” the DA stated.
Aside from bananas, Tiu Laurel also hoped to finalize the market access for fresh hass avocados this year, given that the work plan on phytosanitary requirements for imports of Philippine fresh avocados to Japan has been agreed upon in December 2023.
Meanwhile, fresh mango exports dropped from 59 MT to 11 MT within the span of 2021 to 2023 owing to strict enforcement of food safety regulations, specifically on the issue of pests and diseases like the Cecid fly infestation.
“We have backed efforts of mango exporters focused on proper pest management aligned with Philippine Good Agricultural Practices,” the DA assured.
“These efforts are expected to increase confidence among Filipino exporters and ensure consistent supply to Philippine fresh mangoes to Japan.”
The Philippine agriculture and Japan also discussed the possibilities to regionalize the facilitation of processed poultry exports.