Following an agreement between Japan and the Philippines, a ban on the export of Japanese strawberries to the Philippines has been lifted, as confirmed by the Japanese Ambassador to Manila, Endo Kazuya. The announcement was made via a social media post by the Embassy of Japan in the Philippines, indicating that the agreement was reached with the Philippine quarantine authorities and the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries of Japan (MAFF), allowing the exportation of fresh strawberries starting December 15, 2024.
The embargo was initially put in place due to concerns over pest contamination from the strawberries. However, after thorough technical discussions prompted by Japanese producers, MAFF and the Philippine quarantine authorities have come to a resolution. This development marks a significant step in agricultural trade between Japan and the Philippines, enhancing the availability of Japanese strawberries in the Philippine market.
Source: GMA News Online