PH seeks to finalize free-trade agreements with EU, Canada —DTI

The Philippines is working to conclude free-trade agreements (FTAs) with major trading partners as the government seeks to further expand markets for Philippine-made products, including emerging agricultural exports such as ube and calamansi, according to the Department of Trade and Industry.

Speaking at the ASEAN Business Media Exchange 2026, Trade Secretary Ma. Cristina Roque says the Philippines is pushing to finalize FTAs with the European Union and Canada.

“We will conclude the Philippine-EU FTA, the Philippine-Canada FTA,” Roque said.

The Philippines and Canada have committed to conclude negotiations for their bilateral FTA within 2026, while negotiations with the European Union are also expected to conclude soon.

The Philippines has also concluded negotiations for a free trade agreement with Chile, with the signing targeted for October. The agreement is expected to give Philippine exporters greater access to the South American market.

Ube and calamansi are rising export stars

Roque also said Philippine-made products in semiconductors, electronics, minerals and automotive parts remain major exports, while the DTI is also seeing stronger opportunities in agriculture.

“Again, this is malaking tulong ito para sa ating mga [this will be a big help to our] farmers and for the communities. Coconut is still the superstar, with a 34.4% increase last year,” she said.

Roque said bananas and pineapples remain among the country’s leading agricultural exports, while ube and calamansi are emerging as new “rising stars.”

“Bananas, pineapples still up there, but we’re seeing rising stars in ube and calamansi. $3.6 million last year. And calamansi, again, a rising star,” she said.

The DTI earlier said ube exports reached about $3.6 million in 2025 amid growing overseas demand for the Philippine purple yam.

“And now we’re looking for more stars, especially in the agriculture sector, because we have a lot of farmland and many farmers. We need to find markets to sell all these products,” Roque added.

The Trade Secretary said expanding the Philippines’ network of trade agreements would help sustain the country’s export growth.

Philippine exports posted a record 15.4% growth in 2025, with the DTI reporting continued gains in 2026.
“So tuloy-tuloy pa rin [our progress continues] in spite of and despite the global crisis. We learn from our ASEAN neighbors; they’re the best,” Roque said. — BM, GMA News