The Department of Agriculture (DA) hopes to expand its exports to Italy to include tuna, pineapples, frozen fish, carrageenan and desiccated coconut.
DA Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. met with Italian Minister of Agriculture Francesco Lollobrigida in Rome on October 16 to tackle the possibility of increasing exports which stood only at $129 million in 2023, led by crude coconut oil.
The officials also agreed on a draft memorandum of understanding aimed at boosting productivity and agro-industrialization of Filipino farmers.
DA said in March 2023, a trade mission from Italy composed of companies specializing in water management and irrigation explored collaboration opportunities with Philippine institutions, including the Bureau of Soils and Water Management and the National Irrigation Administration.
“Italy’s agricultural machinery industry is world-class and the Philippines can greatly benefit from this expertise as we modernize our agricultural sector,” said Tiu Laurel.
DA said with the growing Filipino community in Italy now estimated at 200,000, demand for Philippine food products has also increased.
Tiu Laurel said the bilateral meeting also explored increasing agri-food trade and opportunities for skilled Filipino fisherfolk to work in Italy.
Lollobrigida extended Italy’s invitation for skilled fishermen to enhance the European country’s fishing industry while providing valuable opportunities for Filipino workers.
DA also urged Italian businesses to invest in the Philippine agricultural modernization through smart agriculture technologies and irrigation systems.
Discussions were made on potential collaboration with FEDERUNACOMA, Italy’s National Federation of Agricultural Machinery Manufacturers, particularly in adapting machinery to the Philippines’ unique agricultural landscape.The Department of Agriculture (DA) hopes to expand its exports to Italy to include tuna, pineapples, frozen fish, carrageenan and desiccated coconut.
DA Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. met with Italian Minister of Agriculture Francesco Lollobrigida in Rome on October 16 to tackle the possibility of increasing exports which stood only at $129 million in 2023, led by crude coconut oil.
The officials also agreed on a draft memorandum of understanding aimed at boosting productivity and agro-industrialization of Filipino farmers.
DA said in March 2023, a trade mission from Italy composed of companies specializing in water management and irrigation explored collaboration opportunities with Philippine institutions, including the Bureau of Soils and Water Management and the National Irrigation Administration.
“Italy’s agricultural machinery industry is world-class and the Philippines can greatly benefit from this expertise as we modernize our agricultural sector,” said Tiu Laurel.
DA said with the growing Filipino community in Italy now estimated at 200,000, demand for Philippine food products has also increased.
Tiu Laurel said the bilateral meeting also explored increasing agri-food trade and opportunities for skilled Filipino fisherfolk to work in Italy.
Lollobrigida extended Italy’s invitation for skilled fishermen to enhance the European country’s fishing industry while providing valuable opportunities for Filipino workers.
DA also urged Italian businesses to invest in the Philippine agricultural modernization through smart agriculture technologies and irrigation systems.
Discussions were made on potential collaboration with FEDERUNACOMA, Italy’s National Federation of Agricultural Machinery Manufacturers, particularly in adapting machinery to the Philippines’ unique agricultural landscape.
