US to import PHL bananas, stateside veggies to ship to Manila in bulk

A few more hurdles stand in the way of the entry of Philippine bananas into the United States, but the shipments are expected to commence before the year is out as soon as the bilateral agreement is signed, the Bureau of Plant Industry (BPI)  said Friday.

 

To reciprocate the US move to allow the banana exports, the Philippines committed to allow American-farmed vegetables wider access to the Filipino market.

 

Plant quarantine controls, consultations with US industry stakeholders, and the US federal registry are the steps the Philippines has yet to formally pass, but Barron said American officials have given assurances that Philippine bananas will eventually gain entry.

 

“I’m hoping that by next week we would know when the export may start. We are doing the follow-up on this. One good thing is that Philippine bananas are not only allowed in the mainland but in other territories as well,” Bureau of Plant Industry Director Dr. Clarito Barron said.

 

“In exchange for our bananas, they (US) are asking for increased importation of US potatoes and semi-temperate vegetables such as carrot and also crucifers,” he said.

 

The BPI said the Philippines imports of US vegetables is minimal and meant only for the high-end market. — ELR, GMA News