Tropical fruit exports hit P5.16B

THE Philippines’ tropical fruit exports were valued at P5.16 billion last year, with some of the major fruits recording an increase in export figures, according to the Department of Agriculture (DA) on Thursday.

Citing data from the Bureau of Plant Industry (BPI), the DA said the Philippines was able to deliver some 12,548.49 metric tons (MT) of mangoes abroad with an equivalent worth of P2.9 billion; 3,045.6 MT of avocado valued at P377 million; and 4,731 tons of fresh durian generating P1.89 billion.

“The 2023 export figures showed a 316-percent increase for avocado, 109 percent for mango and a significant 4,000 percent for durian, respectively, compared to last year,” said the DA.

Last year, the BPI supplied over 72 tons of vegetable seeds and legumes, and 82,471 planting materials to elevate farm productivity. It also certified millions of bags of rice, corn and legumes, resulting in a substantial increase in farm yield.

Additionally, it has certified over 5.8 million bags of rice, corn and field legumes that helped increase farm yield by as much as 30 percent. The agency also facilitated safe biotechnology practices and issued numerous clearances, import permits and phytosanitary certificates, leading to significant export growth.

Last year, the BPI issued over 400,000 clearances for domestic transport to prevent the spread of pests in the country.

It also granted around 80,000 import clearances, with 84 percent processed within a day. Additionally, more than 83,000 phytosanitary certificates were issued after meeting the standards compliant of the country’s global trading allies.

Moreover, the bureau facilitated the entry of durian exports to China, Hass avocados to South Korea and mangoes to Australia, aiding in market expansion.

These initiatives were recognized by Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr., who commended the BPI’s role to enhance food production and modernize agriculture during the DA’s 94th anniversary celebration on Wednesday.

Laurel encouraged BPI to continue its “forward-thinking approach” for advancing the agriculture sector.