Philippines seeks trade deals to widen agricultural export access

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Philippines seeks wider agri export access

Highlights

Philippines aims to expand agricultural export access by advancing FTAs with the EU, Canada, Japan, and signing with Chile on Nov. 19.
Trade Secretary Roque highlights ongoing agriculture export growth and new commodities, citing international shipments of mangoes to Toronto, Vancouver, and Brussels in June.
President Ferdinand Marcos' administration aims to increase the country's FTA network to 23 key trading partners, supporting broader global market access for Philippine products.

Trade negotiations support export expansion

As reported by BusinessWorld, citing the Department of Trade and Industry, ongoing efforts to secure trade agreements with the European Union, Canada, Japan and Chile are expected to expand market access for Philippine agricultural exporters.

Trade Secretary Maria Cristina A. Roque says agriculture could become one of the country's major export sectors, in an export mix that is currently dominated by semiconductors, electronics, minerals and automotive parts. Speaking at the opening ceremony of the 2026 National Exporters' Fair at the SMX Convention Center Manila in Pasay City, she says the government will continue looking for markets not only for bottled and processed goods, but also for fresh products worldwide.

Roque says the free trade agreement with the EU is already substantially concluded, after the European Commission said in September that the deal is targeted for signing in 2027. She also says the Philippines is expected to sign an FTA with Chile on Nov. 19, while negotiations on a new agreement with Canada and a review of the country's existing trade agreement with Japan remain ongoing.

Agriculture sector targets broader global reach

Roque says the country's major agricultural exports continue to grow, while new export commodities are also emerging. She points to ube, calamansi and bamboo as products that could gain wider international access as the agreements move forward.

She also says Philippine products are ready for the global market as the government looks for more channels to sell them abroad. As a recent example of that push, she reports that the Philippines completed its first-ever commercial shipment of one metric ton of fresh mangoes to Toronto in June, alongside shipments of 250 cartons to Vancouver and 150 kilograms to Brussels.

Roque also credits the administration of President Ferdinand Marcos with expanding the country's network of free trade agreements, saying he is set to have 23 FTAs with important trading partners.

Our earlier coverage on Philippine access to Malaysia’s halal market explained how another local halal certification body, PhilUlama, gained recognition from Malaysia’s JAKIM, expanding the options available to exporters. We noted that wider recognition of Philippine certifiers can strengthen the country’s broader halal strategy by supporting export development and opening opportunities not only in food, but also in sectors like tourism, pharmaceuticals and logistics.

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