The Department of Agriculture (DA) is in collaboration with various government bodies to facilitate new export agreements for key agricultural commodities such as rice, durian, and mangoes. The effort is part of a broader strategy to introduce Philippine tropical fruits to markets like New Zealand, a topic of discussion between President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. and Prime Minister Christopher Luxon of New Zealand during their meeting in Laos at the ASEAN Summit.
"During the bilateral discussions, we addressed rice trade and the export of other products, such as durian," stated DA Undersecretary for Operations Roger Navarro. The DA is also focusing on exporting high-quality mangoes from Zambales and Guimaras. The initiative aims at tapping into the demand for these fruits in countries including Australia and the United States.
Coordination with the World Trade Organization (WTO) is underway to meet the necessary requirements for achieving these export objectives.
Source: Biljonaryo