The Department of Agriculture (DA) is opening more export markets and investment opportunities for local high value crops to carve a position in the global market.  

The country is negotiating to export more high value crops after "determined strides" last year that opened opportunities for cash crops, DA undersecretary for Policy, Planning and Regulations Mercedita Sombilla  said during the European Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines luncheon meeting last week.

"We have begun experts of frozen durian to china,  pili nuts to 27 Eeuropean countries,  shallots to Indonesia , fresh dragon fruit to Australia,  young coconut to Taiwan and corn seeds to Colombia," she said.

For this year, the DA is working on exporting more cash crops to new areas.

"We have commenced negotiations for the exports of papaya, papaya seeds to India, even as we have been allowed export of these to Ecuador. Were likewise working to open more ports of entry of fresh pineapple to US.  The import plan quarantine requirements for fresh Haas avocado to republic of korea is now being finalized," Sombilla said.

Last June 19,  the Bureau of Plant Industry (BPI) said it facilitated the export of 225.8 kilograms of fresh mango fruits from Guimaras to Switzerland.

The shipment was done in collaboration with G5 International Corp. while the mango fruits were supplied by Guimaras Wonders Farm.

The BOI sad the mangoes underwent meticulous inspections after being issued  the necessary phytosanitary certificate,  ensuring compliance with international standards.

The mangoes were also tested to determine if the fruits are above or below maximum residue limit. The agency said this is a crucial step to ensure safety and quality of the breed of the produce being exported.

Meanwhile, Sombilla said the DA  is also offering "more promising"  investment opportunities in coconut, mango, cavendish banana production and processing.

“We need investments in research, infrastructure,  post harvest facilities and production technologies for all these export products to further improve the filipino farm sector's foreign exchange potential," she said.

"There are excellent capital investment opportunities and cold storages and processing facilities for other fresh and value-added farm products throughout these islands, the DA official said. 

President Marcos had earlier directed the DA to come up with strategies congruent to strategizing and optimizing toward becoming more export-oriented and being quality competitive.

DA-High Value Corps Development Program (HVCDP) and BPI Director Gerald Glenn Panganiban had said that  while not all philippine crops are currently position for export, there are definitely bright spots for the sector.

He also recognized the support of the stakeholders,  including the producers and exporters, as DA partners and elevating the export potential of local agri-fishery commodities through the years.

Source: Philippine Star