The Department of Agriculture (DA) has marked a series of significant achievements in 2024 with the help of agricultural attachés stationed around the world. These accomplishments have bolstered the Philippines’ agricultural exports, fostered new international partnerships, and opened up new opportunities for local farmers and fisherfolks, investors, and businesses.
“These milestones, which secured tens of billions of pesos in export sales, would support our farm and fishery sector and at least help narrow our agricultural trade deficit. Our attaches also strengthened bilateral and multilateral relations, benefiting millions of Filipino farmers and fisherfolk,” said Agriculture Secretary Francisco P. Tiu Laurel Jr.
In Thailand, DA attaché Annalyn Lopez played a key role in securing market access for four Philippine fishery establishments to export to Vietnam. She also assisted market expansion for Philippine durian in Malaysia and the country’s participation in the prestigious Thaifex ANUGA 2024 trade show, where P1.5 billion in sales were booked, with P3.5 billion in additional potential sales. Lopez was also instrumental in DA’s signing of two Memoranda of Understanding with Vietnam and a Letter of Intent with Brunei, advancing bilateral agricultural relations. She also pursued the implementation of cooperation projects with Thailand focusing on rainmaking technology and agricultural cooperatives.
In China, DA Counsellor Jerome Bunyi was pivotal in the Philippines’ successful participation at the China International Import Expo, where 17 exhibitors generated an estimated USD1.6 billion in sales and sales pledges. Popular Filipino products like bananas, durian, pineapples, and coconuts saw strong demand, highlighting continued global interest in Philippine agricultural goods.
Belgium-based DA attaché Nolet Fulgencio reported Post’s achievement in securing market access for Philippine pili nuts in the European Union in 2023 and will be working with BFAR on facilitating the listing of Philippine sardine species for export to the EU. She also organized key meetings to update stakeholders and DA officials on EU regulations and will continue to promote Filipino agricultural products through participation in local fairs and exhibitions.
The DA Attaché to Dubai was critical in connecting Philippine exporters with buyers in the UAE and Saudi Arabia, and worked in tandem with DA AMAS in AgraME 2023, reporting P10.3 million in sales and an additional P84.97 million in negotiated deals. The attaché also helped resolve regulatory hurdles to resume banana exports to Qatar, underscoring the region’s importance as a key trade partner.
In Switzerland, DA attaché Marlito Cabuños advocated for greater flexibility for developing nations at the World Trade Organization’s Ministerial Conference. His efforts in supporting artisanal fisheries and exporting Guimaras mangoes to Switzerland reinforced the appeal of Philippine products in European markets.
DA Attaché Dr. Josyline Javelosa, who also serves as Deputy Permanent Representative to the Rome-based Agencies of the United Nations such as the Food and Agriculture Organization, advocated for multilateral and bilateral support for Philippine agri-food system priorities. She co-led the development of an Action Plan for the Uptake of Policy Products of the UN Committee on World Food Security (CFS), endorsed at its 52nd Session in October 2024. Her work in promoting opportunities for Philippine agri-food systems included support for the DA’s Hand-in-Hand Investment Proposal presented during the World Food Forum in Rome last October, and liaising high-level engagements such as between the DA Secretary and the Italian Minister of Agriculture, Food and Forestry Policies to jumpstart technical cooperation on agricultural mechanization and increased market access for Philippine agri-food products. To promote further awareness and demand for Philippine food products in Italy, she helped organize events such as the launching of the “Filipino Restaurants in Rome Guide” and “ We Cook Filipino” book.
In South Korea, DA attaché Lev Nikko Macalintal was instrumental in establishing the Korea Agricultural Machinery Industrial Complex in Cabanatuan, aimed at boosting local agricultural productivity. He also facilitated P297.27 million in sales at Seoul Food 2024 and worked on potential MOUs with South Korea’s Ministry of Agriculture and Ministry of the Interior and Safety.
Agri Attaché Maria Alilia Maghirang in Tokyo successfully secured market access for fresh Philippine Hass avocados in Japan and facilitated various market access issues on bananas, pineapples and mangoes. She led the intensified Philippine agri-food promotional activities, including FOODEX Japan 2024 and the International Seafood Show Tokyo 2024, generating P361 million in sales. Maghirang also worked on enhancing bilateral agricultural ties through new ODA & technical cooperation projects for the Department while maintaining robust Philippine agri-fisheries trade with Japan amounting to USD 1billion.
In the United States, DA Agricultural Counsellor Lupiño Lazaro Jr., who will soon be joined by Assistant Agricultural Attaché Anna Natalia Lazo in Washington DC, worked on various policy and trade forums such as the Philippines-US Food Security Dialogue (FSD) and Trade and Investment Agreement (TIFA) and helped facilitate market access for products like shrimp paste, pineapples, and mangoes. They assisted Secretary Tiu Laurel’s participation at the World Bank agrifood flagship event and his bilateral meeting with USDA Secretary Vilsack. They also played a key role in promoting coconuts, coffee, and other food products at major expos, such as the Specialty Coffee Expo 2024, and at business missions to and from the Philippines. They likewise covered bilateral agricultural and fisheries concerns with Argentina, Canada, Chile and Paraguay.
Secretary Tiu Laurel emphasized that these global achievements demonstrate the DA’s unwavering commitment to expanding the reach of Philippine agricultural products and promoting sustainable sector growth, vital to the nation’s economic development. ###
