The Department of Agriculture (DA) is optimistic about more export opportunities for fruit crops this year.
However, DA undersecretary Mercedita Sombilla said additional investments are needed to fully tap the potential of fruits in the world market.
“We need investments in research, infrastructure, post-harvest facilities and production technology for all these export products to further improve Filipino farm sectors’ foreign exchange potential. There are excellent capital investment opportunities in cold storages and processing facilities for other fresh and value-added farm products throughout these islands,” Sombilla told reporters in a chance interview last week.
Sombilla said opportunities in the production and processing of coconut, mango and cavendish banana can be harnessed for more value-added output.
Last year, the Philippines started exporting frozen durian to China, pili nuts to 27 European countries, shallots to Indonesia, fresh dragon fruit to Australia, young coconut to Taiwan and corn seeds to Colombia.
The agency added negotiations were also conducted for the export of papaya and papaya seeds to India, opening of more ports of entry of fresh pineapple to the US and the import plan quarantine requirement for fresh Hass avocado to South Korea.
Data from the Philippine Statistics Authority showed exports of edible fruit and nuts and peel of citrus fruit melons amounted to $439.51 million in the first quarter, posting the largest share of 28.4 percent to the total agricultural exports for the period.
In 2022, the segment exported $7.5 billion or 28 percent of the total agricultural trade.
