The Philippines and Cambodia are seeking to strengthen agricultural collaboration, with a focus on expanding farm trade and broadening market access.
Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. met with Cambodian Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Dith Tina on the sidelines of President Marcos’ state visit to Cambodia this week.
“This bilateral meeting is a step forward in fleshing out the agreement signed earlier this year by the Philippines and Cambodia on agricultural trade, cooperation, and knowledge transfer,” Tiu Laurel said in a statement on Wednesday.
During the meeting, Tiu Laurel and Dith reaffirmed their commitment to boosting agricultural cooperation, ensuring food security, and promoting sustainable trade between the two countries.
Tiu Laurel said Cambodia’s agricultural products—such as fish, meat, and vegetables—could help meet the growing needs of the Philippines’ expanding population.
The agriculture chief assured that the Philippines is “preparing to welcome” more farm products from Cambodia, which would enhance bilateral trade and strengthen food supply resilience.
Dith expressed Cambodia’s optimism about increasing farm exports to the Philippines, particularly its premium aromatic rice, citing rising demand in Manila and other urban areas.
The bilateral meeting followed the signing of a memorandum of agreement on Agricultural and Agribusiness Cooperation between the two countries during Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet’s state visit to Manila.
The Philippines was invited to invest in Cambodia’s expanding rice production sector, with opportunities to establish rice milling facilities.
Both countries agreed to explore potential rice trade cooperation—subject to their respective laws—and to consider possible trade in vegetables and meat.
The agreement also envisions enhanced collaboration in areas such as agricultural planning, animal feed development, animal health protection, irrigation management, and agricultural marketing systems.
Trade between the Philippines and Cambodia reached $80.50 million in 2023, with agricultural products accounting for $20.40 million.
Cambodia exported 2,430 metric tons (MT) of rice to the Philippines as of September 4, according to data from the Bureau of Plant Industry. Year-to-date rice arrivals totaled 2.95 million MT. — Malaya Business News Team
