Phl sends banana trade mission to ME, Europe

MANILA, Philippines - The government has sent a trade mission to the Middle East and Europe as it seeks to find new markets for the country’s bananas and even as it still intends to increase shipments to China, trade officials said.

“We have a banana mission to the Middle East and Europe. They left Saturday,” Trade undersecretary Cristino Panlilio said in a press conference yesterday.

He said the trade mission was sent to Abu Dhabi and Dubai since these are where the trading centers of the Middle East are located.

The trade mission, he said, would also go to Italy and in Brussels.

For his part, Trade Secretary Gregory Domingo said that the entry of Philippine banana shipments to China has yet to normalize, although some exports are able to enter that country.

He said that the trade department along with other government agencies such as the Agriculture and Foreign Affairs departments, are working to find alternative markets for the country’s bananas.

But while the government is looking for other markets for the country’s bananas, he said the government still cannot disregard China.

“It’s (China) a big market for bananas. We’d like to continue to have access to that one,” he said.

Chinese authorities restricted the entry of Philippine fruits in March after pests were found on banana shipments, while mealybugs were found on papayas and pineapples from the Philippines.

The tighter rules were imposed amid tensions between the Philippines and China on claims over Panatag shoal.

The Pilipino Banana Growers and Exporters Association (PBGEA) said earlier the government must provide subsidies to local banana growers amid the imposition of strict requirements of Chinese authorities on the entry of Philippine bananas.

PBGEA executive director Stephen Antig had said the government’s assistance can help banana growers and exporters become competitive in the international market.

The PBGEA also said that it has received reports that Ecuador is in discussion with the Chinese government for the supply of cavendish bananas in mainland China.

The group said that while Ecuador is not closely located to China, the subsidy provided by its government to local producers and exporters gives that country an advantage in the international market.