PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has ordered the Department of Agriculture (DA) to address the banana industry’s concerns following reports of declining production and market share, a move aimed at preventing a looming crisis.
Palace Press Officer Claire Castro on Thursday said the president issued the
directive in response to concerns raised by Senator Imee Marcos about the industry’s struggles, particularly the decrease in market share in Japan and China.
The Presidential Communications Office (PCO) stated that the directive underscores the government’s commitment to not only reclaim market shares but also to explore new trade opportunities.
These efforts are intended to support farmers and ensure the long-term resilience of the industry.
Among the specific measures mentioned by Castro is the DA’s increased fund allocation for pest and disease treatment, though the exact amount was not disclosed.
The DA is also in ongoing negotiations with Japan to address tariffs on banana exports, talks that have been underway since March.
Castro noted that the 8 percent tariff imposed during summer and the 18 percent tariff during winter have hindered the competitiveness of Philippine bananas in this key market.
In addition to these measures, the DA is working to expand the production and export of the Cardaba banana variety to Australia, the United States, the Middle
East, and other potential markets. The government is also promoting the export of processed products like steamed, frozen bananas, and banana chips.
The PCO noted that the country’s primary banana variety is Cavendish, followed by Saba and Lakatan. The Saba/Cardaba variety is typically processed for export as banana chips, while Lakatan is mainly consumed as fresh fruit domestically.
On Wednesday, Sen. Imee Marcos urged the agriculture department and other relevant agencies to focus on banana production amid the “steep decline” in the country’s market share in key destinations such as Japan and China.
The senator said the government should act immediately to address the situation, as she stressed that the banana industry is facing a multi-faceted crisis due to high production costs, persistent threat of the Panama disease and unfavorable trade agreements.
She added that even aggressive marketing could not solve the problem.
