Coming soon: Fresh veggies from US

MANILA, Philippines - Fresh vegetables from the United States will soon be available in Philippine markets after the government formally lifted restrictions on the importation of these vegetables, the US embassy said yesterday.

The Philippines lifted restrictions on the import of temperate climate vegetables like celery, lettuce and other cruciferous from producers in the US last June 30.

The embassy said this development will relieve supply shortage and deepen agricultural ties between the two countries.

American producers previously enjoyed only limited access to the Philippine vegetable market, exporting only $57,000 worth of products in 2013.

Trade experts predict that open market access will help these sales reach $1 million within two years.

The embassy said this kind of trade will be an asset to the burgeoning food service and retail sectors in the Philippines.

An agreement reached with the Department of Agriculture (DA) ensures that all fresh vegetable shipments will have a US Department of Agriculture Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service phytosanitary certificate.

This is to verify that the shipments meet all the stipulations of the plant quarantine SPS import clearance.

As with all fresh vegetable trade, importers will be required to obtain an SPS import permit from the DA Bureau of Plant Industry.