THE Philippines and Japan are expanding cooperation in food exports, modern farming systems, and long-term food security, the Department of Agriculture (DA) said, following President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s state visit May 26 to 29 with a delegation that engaged in high-level meetings with Japanese officials.
Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. said discussions with his Japanese counterpart revolved around technology exchange, logistics efficiency, and market access for the Philippines’ agricultural and fisheries products.
Priorities include exporting Philippine pomelos before the end of the year, as well as participation in a major Green Expo in March 2027 to promote horticulture products.
Horticulture is the art, science, and business of cultivating plants for food, medicine, and aesthetic enjoyment.
“There’s a big export market for horticulture products in the world. ... We need to maintain this and grow it further,” Tiu Laurel said, referring to ornamental plants and other high-value products.
Protecting the country’s banana exports is a big concern, Tiu Laurel said, noting that the Philippine delegation reiterated a request for reduced banana tariffs while the country prepares to join the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnerships (CPTPP).
Japan is the Philippines’ top banana export market globally.
Also discussed was cooperation in livestock and fisheries, particularly for tuna, another top Philippine export to Japan.
Meanwhile, Japan’s grain facilities — which are equipped with automated dryers and dehuskers which can process large volumes with minimal manpower — offered valuable insights to the DA, Tiu Laurel said, noting that these could be adopted by the National Food Authority.
“Japan could store rice up to five years. In the Philippines, our buffer stocks are stored for [only] 30 days,” Tiu Laurel said.
Other Japanese agricultural technologies have been undergoing trials in Davao since last year, Tiu Laurel added, saying these have shown promising results, and that the DA may soon expand their utilization to other major Philippine crops. Giselle Jordan