PHL eyes alternative markets for fruits if China will keep blocking their entry

The Philippines will look for alternative markets for its produce such as mangoes, pineapples, papayas and bananas, if Chinese officials insist on blocking their entry into China, a Filipino agriculture official said on Monday.

 

In a radio interview, Bureau of Plant Industry Director Clarito Barron said they are looking at markets such as the Middle East, Europe and even Iran.

 

"Sa totoo lang, ang ating prutas lalo ang mangga at ating pinya at papaya, yan gustung-gusto ng ibang bansa. Kaya meron tayong ibang bansa na tinitingnan na pwede iluwas ang produktong yan tulad ng Iran, tulad ng Europe, tulad ng Middle East," Barron said in an interview on dzBB radio.

 

He said that in a worst-case scenario where China totally bans the entry of Philippine fruits, Philippine officials can turn to these alternative markets.

 

"Pupunta tayo roon pero kailangan pagibayuhin natin ang hakbangin para ang ating prutas tulad ng saging, pineapple at papaya, mapasok natin sa bansang willing tanggapin ang ating prutas, kung sakaling total ban ang gawin ng China sa ating prutas," he said.

 

Barron also said that while the problems with Philippine fruit exports in China started in March before the standoff at Panatag (Scarborough) Shoal broke out, China became extra strict in May.

 

For now, however, he said they are still focusing their efforts on allowing the easy entry of Philippine fruit exports to China.

 

He said the Philippines had invited Chinese quarantine officials to visit Philippine growing areas and packaging facilities in Mindanao, including Davao.

 

This should show them the high quality standards that Philippine fruit exports go through, he said. Quarantine officers

 

Barron also said he and two plant quarantine officers will go to China this week to talk to their Chinese counterparts to assure them of Philippine quarantine protocols.

 

Another move is to send one shipment of bananas along with a quarantine inspector from Mindanao to China.

 

Barron said the row over Philippine fruit exports started as early as March 5, when Chinese authorities informed the Philippines of insects in Philippine banana exports to China.

 

He said an initial check showed the insect attacked not bananas but coconuts. China had suspended the export rights of the Philippine firm involved, he said.

 

On April 26, Barron said China asked the Philippines to submit a list of accredited banana growers and exporters.

 

100 percent inspection

 

Barron said that while China called the Philippines' attention to the problem in March, it became extra strict in May by requiring a 100-percent inspection of Philippine fruit exports.

 

He said that in the case of mangoes, China had called the Philippines' attention to insects in mango exports in 2009, but the Philippines had taken corrective measures in 2010 and the stricter inspections were lifted in 2011.

 

But he said a 100-percent inspection may result in the fruit exports rotting.

 

"Matagal talaga yan. Maapektuhan ang prutas," he said.

 

To affect workers

 

On the other hand, Barron said an export ban on Philippine fruits by China may affect some 150,000 workers who he said depend directly or indirectly on the industry.

 

"Kung [ang] banana [ay] mapipigil sa bansang China, may 150,000 trabahador [ang] maapektuhan... direct at indirect (na) umaasa sa industriya ng saging," he said.

 

He said the Philippines exports some 300,000 metric tons of bananas to China in one year, and as much as one million metric tons of pineapples there yearly. — RSJ, GMA News