Boosting Philippine Agri Exports to Japan
A key topic during the bilateral talks was the expansion of Philippine agricultural exports to Japan, particularly fruits.
Tiu Laurel pressed for improved market access for Philippine pomelo and the removal of tariffs on fresh bananas, which remain subject to duties of up to 18 percent.
Despite being Japan’s top banana supplier, the Philippines’ market share fell from 94 percent in 2023 to 75 percent in 2024 due to competition and trade constraints.
“Yes, that was definitely discussed in our bilateral meeting,” Tiu Laurel said when asked about the banana tariff issue. “The Minister promised to look into it. The Philippines will persistently pursue this, and I really hope we can resolve this as soon as possible.”
He added that while the matter is being tackled under the Common Effective Preferential Tariff (CEPT) scheme, bilateral channels could speed up the process.
Japan eyes grapes export to PH
Japan, the Philippines’ second-largest importer of agriculture and fishery products in 2024 with purchases exceeding $1 billion, has expressed interest in exporting fresh grapes to the Philippine market.
Koizumi said Japan has already submitted pest risk analyses and technical documents to the Bureau of Plant Industry (BPI) to support the request.
Technology and sustainability cooperation
Beyond trade, both officials agreed to expand cooperation on technology and sustainability. Tiu Laurel lauded Japan’s continued support through the ASEAN-Midori Cooperation Plan and the existing Philippines-Japan Memorandum of Cooperation (MOC) on Agriculture.
He proposed extending the MOC to include fisheries and new initiatives for smart agriculture, R&D, mechanization, pest management, and digitalization of the agriculture and fisheries sector.
The secretary also thanked Japan for its rice donations to calamity-hit areas under the ASEAN Plus Three Emergency Rice Reserve – Tier 3 Program, while reaffirming the Philippines’ readiness to host the second Philippines-Japan Joint Committee on Agriculture (JCA) next year as both nations approach the 70th anniversary of diplomatic relations in 2026.
Toward the World’s First Agri Carbon Credit Program
The meeting also covered Japan’s proposal to accelerate the Joint Crediting Mechanism (JCM), which includes the use of Alternate Wetting and Drying (AWD) technology for rice farming.
If implemented, the initiative could become the world’s first bilateral carbon credit program in agriculture.
Tiu Laurel expressed support for the effort, highlighting its potential to cut emissions and boost sustainable farming practices.
Japan invites PH to GREENxEXPO 2027
Japan also invited the Philippines to participate in GREENxEXPO 2027, a global horticulture exhibition to be held in Yokohama.
Tiu Laurel welcomed the invitation, citing rising private sector interest in floriculture, horticulture, and high-value crop exports.
The Department of Agriculture, he said, is coordinating with other government agencies to determine the country’s participation scope.
Koizumi’s political influence
Koizumi, a prominent figure in Japan’s ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), was recently ranked as the top choice among party members to succeed Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, who has stepped down, according to a Mainichi Shimbun survey. —Ed: Corrie S. Narisma
