THE United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) said the Philippines will formally open its market to fresh highbush blueberries from the United States starting next week, May 24.
The USDA said the US is the only country with official access to the Philippine market and expects American suppliers to take advantage of the opportunity to supply the country.
Estimated sales are seen at $500,000 this season alone.
Blueberry shipments from the US will have a most-favored nation tariff rate of seven percent and a 12 percent value added tax.
In the past, the Philippine Department of Agriculture (DA) allowed limited and intermittent importation of fresh blueberries specifically for hotels, restaurants and high-end supermarkets in the past.
Sales from 2015 to 2019 averaged at around 20 metric tons and $150,000 each year.
“With formal market access in place for the entire Philippine market, multiple trade contacts forecast US sales could reach $500,000 this season and exceed $1 million in succeeding years if there is a concerted marketing effort to increase consumer awareness on the availability, quality, and health benefits of US fresh blueberries,” the USDA report said.
The Philippines has a very limited production of the fruit due to lack of adequate post-harvest facilities and cold chain infrastructure.
The DA said importers must secure a sanitary and phytosanitary import clearance from the Bureau of Plant Industry to be accredited.
The blueberries must be shipped within 20 days following the issuance of the clearance with arrival in the Philippines set at 60 days from the must ship-out date.
