Philippines eyes more agricultural exports to New Zealand

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippines is eyeing to increase its agricultural exports such as bananas and pineapples to New Zealand.

The Philippines intends to increase exports of fresh Cavendish bananas and pineapples, prepared or preserved pineapples, thickeners or carrageenan, desiccated coconuts, and cigarillos, according to Department of Agriculture (DA) Senior Undersecretary Domingo Panganiban.

The DA is also looking to access more New Zealand markets for other local agricultural products.

“The meeting with the New Zealand delegates aims to further strengthen partnership of two countries particularly in high value products, marine and aquaculture products, research and development, livelihood assistance to local farmers and other initiatives that will further develop the Philippines’ agriculture sector,” the agency said.

The Philippines and New Zealand have established their diplomatic relationship since July 1966.

Last year, the Philippines exported agricultural products valued at $34.9 million to New Zealand.

Also last year, President Marcos and New Zealand Ambassador to the Philippines Peter Kell discussed various agricultural activities to boost the bilateral relations of two countries particularly on food security.

In 2019, the New Zealand government allocated P150 million to fund agricultural projects in Samar.

New Zealand has committed P44.3 million for a cacao livelihood program in Eastern Samar which aims to increase the income of 1,000 farming households through cacao farming and processing.

A separate project in Samar aims to improve resiliency and reduce vulnerabilities of households.

The program has provided training in organic farming for rice, root crops and vegetables.

The New Zealand government granted P115 million in funding for five years, until 2021.