Philippines hopeful on agri trade, exports deal with Japan

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippines expects a positive response from the Japanese government on its call to ease up on export protocols and tariff issues following the recent visit of President Duterte.

Agriculture Secretary Emmanuel Piñol is set to return to Japan this week just after a few days of Duterte’s visit following an invitation from Takamori Yoshikawa, the current minister of agriculture, forestry and fisheries of Japan.

Among the issues the Philippines will raise include the easing up on protocols to expedite the access of local bananas to Japan, as well as negotiations on the tariff scheme on agricultural products, particularly fruit exports.

“I think they are softening already. I feel that they are willing to take a look at it now and I am expecting positive results. The presence of the President there gave weight to our appeal,” Piñol said.

“I noticed a more cordial atmosphere during the bilateral and even during the dinner because of the decision of the Philippines to lift the ban on fish species from Fukushima,” he added.

The Philippines has been lobbying to the Japanese government to lift stricter tests for chemical residue on Philippine banana exports.

Local growers have emphasized that banana exports comply with Japanese standards for the maximum residue level (MRL) for chemicals used as insecticides in banana plantations following the institution of new protocols and assessment process by the Bureau of Plant Industry.

Philippine banana exports continued to increase in 2018 after joint government and industry efforts to improve banana production and stop the spread of the Panama disease, giving the Philippines back its reputation as the world’s second largest banana exporter after Ecuador.

Further, the Philippines is also hoping to get lower tariffs, even up to zero, on bananas, pineapples and mangoes.

To recall, the Philippines sought for a uniform tariff for Philippine agricultural products, of up to eight percent all year round, last October 2016 but has yet to be approved.

Currently, Japan imposes a 2.5 percent tariff for Philippine bananas during off-season and is reaching up to 18 percent during the fruiting season in a bid to protect Japanese fruit farmers.

Philippine bananas used to dominate the Japanese market, supplying as much as 90 percent of the total requirements but in recent years, bananas from Ecuador have penetrated Japan.