DAVAO CITY May 29 (PIA)- The Department of Agriculture, the Department of Trade and Industry alongside the Department of Foreign Affairs is joining hands to create a package of presentation for banana growers affected by China’s imposition of strict quarantine requirements.
Describing the linkage as a Filipino team effort, DA Assistant Secretary Salvador Salacop said that among this package of presentation will be shown to President Benigno Aquino III. The three departments would work on developing new markets, monitoring good agricultural practices and upgrading of export facilities.
Among the identified markets is Russia particularly the port of Vladivostok which has expressed interests in bananas from Mindanao. As for the distance of the country which can be a factor for the viability of the market Salacop said that Vladivostok is just two hours away from China.
Another potential market being identified is Iran which is being explored. Although Iran is facing sanctions, food products like bananas are exempted from foreign sanctions.
He also added that they are studying a counter-trade proposal in which bananas can be exchanged for oil as foreign currencies particularly US dollars are scarce in Iran due to the embargo.
A trade mission is being planned to Iran in June according to Salacop and among those to be discussed is the export of bananas.
Aside from finding export markets, the DA is looking to the upgrading of export facilities for small growers, they are also looking for ways to show that Filipino farmers are practicing good agricultural practices.
Salacop said that despite China’s crackdown on Philippine bananas they cannot just ignore the large market.
He added that the country is a net importer of agricultural produce from China. The country exports annually $180-million to China of which $70-million are from bananas. While the country imports $350-million worth of agricultural commodities.
The DA assistant secretary said that most of the banana exports to China are “Class B” bananas and cannot just be sold to other foreign markets which are used to receiving Class A bananas.
Meanwhile DTI-XI Regional Director Marizon Loreto in an earlier interview said they are looking into developing markets for different banana products like banana chips, banana flour, banana ketchup and banana fiber.
Loreto cited that banana fiber which is made into a fashion accessory has a potential demand in the Japanese market as banana fiber is made into fashionable shawls worn by Japanese women. (PIA 11/RG Alama)
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