BUREAU of Plant Industry (BPI) Director Glenn Panganiban said he expects US ports to open for Philippine pineapples this year.
“Their federal registry is already at the final stage. What they initially told us during our last meeting was that, if there are no further comments from stakeholders, then it will be opened,” Panganiban told reporters.
Last month, the United States Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) issued a notice proposing to lift entry-port restrictions for Philippine pineapple exports, following a request from the BPI, an attached agency of the Department of Agriculture.
Currently, Philippine pineapples are allowed only through ports in the North Atlantic region, Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands — a restriction imposed over biosecurity concerns, such as the risk of the oriental fruit fly, a pest that can damage more than 400 crop types.
The US had confined the entry of pineapple imports to colder northern ports and isolated islands where the fly could not easily survive or spread.
APHIS is accepting stakeholder comments on the proposal until Aug. 10, with the final decision hinging on feedback.
The Philippines was the world’s second-largest pineapple exporter last year, shipping over 775,000 metric tons of the fruit, according to the Food and Agriculture Organization.
Separately, the Philippines last month shipped 1,500 boxes, or 18 metric tons, of premium MD2 pineapples to the United Arab Emirates.
The pineapples, sourced from farms in Tampakan, South Cotabato, arrived at the Port of Khor Fakkan on June 28. Davao-based exporter Mensch Fil-Am Trading arranged the shipment with Avante Agri-Products Philippines Inc., while Octagon General Trading LLC handled distribution in the UAE.
Officials expect shipments to the UAE every two weeks, citing steady demand for premium fruit in one of the region’s fastest-growing food import markets.
Panganiban said he is optimistic the Philippines will open more export markets for agricultural commodities in the second half of the year.