PH seeks to export pomelos to Japan before end of 2026 - DA

The Philippine government is seeking to bring pomelos to Japan before the year ends, the Department of Agriculture (DA) said on Thursday.

Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. said he raised the possibility in a meeting with Norikazu Suzuki, Minister of Japan’s Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries.

“Ang utos ng ating Pangulo ay makipag-usap sa pamahalaan ng Japan, lalo na sa Ministry of Agriculture nila at palawakin ang ugnayan, palawakin ang exchange of information tungkol sa teknolohiya, sa mga diskarte sa logistics,” he said.

(Our President's instruction is to engage with the government of Japan, especially their Ministry of Agriculture, to expand our relations and broaden the exchange of information regarding technology and logistics strategies.)

“Tulad kanina, we met with the Minister of Agriculture of Japan, at ni-request natin na mabigyan ng access ang ating pomelo, and hopefully before the end of this year makapagbenta na tayo ng pomelo sa Japan,” he added.

(Just earlier, we met with the Minister of Agriculture of Japan, and we requested that access be granted to our pomelos, and hopefully before the end of this year, we can start selling pomelos to Japan.)

Tiu Laurel is one of the Cabinet members part of the Philippine delegation accompanying President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. for a four-day state visit to the Land of the Rising of Sun.

In his meeting with his Japanese counterpart, he also pushed anew the lowering of tariffs of bananas to Japan.

“This year, dalawang beses na ako sa Japan, tinutulak natin na mapababa ang taripa ng natin ng bananas to Japan para makapag-compete tayo nang maayos. This is our biggest market for bananas in the world, so kailangan natin ma-protektahan,” said Tiu Laurel.

(This year, I have already been to Japan twice; we are pushing for the reduction of our banana tariffs to Japan so that we can compete properly. This is our biggest market for bananas in the world, so we need to protect it.)

The Agriculture chief also said that they discussed importation of flowers and plants to Japan.

“Among others napag-usapan din yung paglahok natin sa Green Expo next year for our horticulture industry naman dito sa March next year, para ma-promote din ang ating mga bulaklak, mga halaman for export to Japan and the world. Dahil hindi lang pinag-uusapan dito ay prutas or mga pagkain, there’s a very big export market for horticulture products in the world,” said Tiu Laurel.

(Among other things, we also discussed our participation in the Green Expo next year for our horticulture industry this coming March, to promote our flowers and plants for export to Japan and the world. We aren't just talking about fruits or food here; there is a very big export market for horticulture products in the world.) —RF, GMA News