THE government is seeking zero-tariff access for banana exports as part of negotiations to revise the Japan-Philippines Economic Partnership Agreement (JPEPA), Trade Secretary Cristina Roque said Monday.
In exchange, the Philippines could consider concessions on Japanese motor vehicles and automotive parts, Roque noted.
Japan has been pushing for the Philippines to reduce or remove tariffs on Japanese vehicles and auto parts.
Philippine bananas currently face seasonal tariffs in Japan at 8 percent from October to March, and 18 percent from April to September.
Local exporters have long sought the removal of the tariffs, arguing that these put the bananas at a disadvantage against competitors which enjoy zero-tariff access under their respective trade agreements.
Japan is the Philippines’ largest foreign market for bananas, accounting for 75-80 percent of total exports.
While no final agreement has been reached, Roque said Japan’s willingness to discuss revisions to the JPEPA was a positive development. She expressed hope that the revision could be concluded soon.
The trade agreement, originally signed in 2006, took effect in 2008.
Roque likewise said the Philippines has an opportunity to become the world’s largest banana exporter.
Ecuador occupies the top spot, while the Philippines slipped to third place in 2024 amid plant disease, high fertilizer costs, and supply-chain bottlenecks.
The country climbed to no. 2 in 2025, shipping nearly 3 million metric tons (MT), up 26 percent from 2.33 million MT in 2024.
It also remained Asia’s leading banana supplier.
The government hopes to conclude its ongoing trade negotiations by November as the Philippines wraps up its Asean chairship, Roque added.