By Dean Aubrey Caratiquet
With the approval to export Hass avocados, the Philippines has successfully expanded its access to Japan’s lucrative and discerning food market, marking a significant milestone in the country’s agricultural export growth and emphasizing the quality of local produce.
“This is a testament to the Philippines’ dedication to expanding its agricultural exports and the high quality of our farm produce,” said Agriculture Secretary Francisco P. Tiu Laurel, Jr., expressing optimism that this achievement, in collaboration with the Bureau of Plant Industry (BPI), the Office of the Agriculture Attaché in Tokyo, and Dole Stanfilco, will lead to opportunities in other international markets for locally-grown produce.
BPI Director Glenn Panganiban emphasized that the inclusion of Hass avocados in the Philippine export portfolio to Japan, which already includes bananas and pineapples, is the culmination of over a decade of effort, with initial access requests dating back to 2011. “Securing access to Japan’s highly competitive market for Hass avocados is a significant step forward in our trade relations with Japan,” he said.
This development comes at a time when the Philippines’ agricultural exports to Japan are experiencing an upward trend. In 2023, the Philippines exported USD 1.1 billion worth of agri-fisheries products to Japan, generating a trade surplus of USD 990 million. The addition of Hass avocados further solidifies the Philippines’ position as a key supplier of high-quality fruits to Japan, a market renowned for its discerning consumers.
Japan is a major importer of Hass avocados, with imports valued at USD 160 million (61,000 metric tons) in 2023. Key suppliers include Mexico, Peru, Australia, New Zealand, and the United States. The global market for Hass avocados is projected to reach USD 18 billion by next year.
“We are proud to announce that the Philippines is the first country in Asia to export Hass avocados to Japan,” said Tokyo-based Agriculture Attaché Aleli Maghirang. “This provides local producers with an excellent opportunity to capitalize on Japan’s growing demand for fresh fruits.” she added.
With increasing demand for Philippine fruits in Japan and globally, the Philippines is well-positioned to strengthen its presence in the Japanese market and expand its agricultural exports throughout Asia and beyond.
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