PHL eyes lower freight costs for banana exports to US 

Deputy Presidential Spokesperson Abigail Valte said Sunday that discussions are underway to lower the freight costs of banana exports to the United States after multinational agricultural firm Dole announced last week that it will soon be bringing bananas from Mindanao to the US.

 

“Kailangan maipababa po natin ‘yung mga freight cost dahil, of course, normally mas malayo po iyong Estados Unidos than iyong normal market po natin for exporting bananas,” said Valte in an interview over state-run dzRB radio.

 

Last week, Dole Philippines announced that Philippine bananas will soon be able to break into the U.S. market after American authorities completed sanitary tests on these Philippine agricultural goods.

 

The Department of Agriculture said Dole Philippines plans to export at least one container of bananas from Mindanao per week to the US.

 

Valte likewise said that the Philippines will continue its search for other markets for locally produced bananas.

 

Last April, China barred the entry of Philippine bananas into its market at the height of the Panatag Shoal standoff between the two countries.

 

Malacañang, however, announced last May that China has already allowed Philippine bananas to reenter its market.

 

According to the National Statistics Office, the Philippines has exported $168.1-million worth of fresh bananas to various foreign markets during the first four months of 2012. — DVM, GMA News