The Department of Agriculture (DA) is eyeing the export of pork and poultry products and other agricultural products to Singapore in a bid to create a market for Philippine agricultural products in the neighboring Asian country.
Agriculture Secretary Emmanuel Piñol said the department would like to take advantage of the Philippines’ proximity to Singapore. “Singapore is like a second city for us Filipinos, and we want to further strengthen our trade relationship,” he said.
“We are looking into the possibility of exporting our pork and poultry products from the Southern Islands of Mindanao. You may also want look at the developments we’ve made for the high-value products in Bukidnon,” the DA chief told Singapore Ambassador to the Philippines Gerard Ho Wei Hong.
Aside from fruits and vegetables, Piñol said the Philippines is ready to feature different food recipes and products produced from smart greenhouses.
DA is set to hold a food agri-aqua trade show in the Lion City to meet potential business partners and explore business opportunities, including developing a market for Philippine agricultural products in Singapore.
“We want to pursue our earlier proposal to set up an agri-aqua show,” Piñol said, adding that the exhibition will also mark the 50th year of Philippine diplomatic relations with Singapore.
He said the trade show will help Singaporean businessmen find specific products to import from the Philippines while enabling Filipino farmers to understand international standards.
“It will be easier for us, if we know the requirements that will meet your standard, including the type of packaging you need. We will adjust,” Piñol explained to Hong.
Hong replied that Singapore is seriously considering the Philippines as a potential source of fruits and vegetables.
Earlier this year, a group of quarantine officers from Singapore visited the Philippines to inspect local processing facilities and explore possible products for import.
“The safety of our food stock is very important,” Hong said.
Aside from the trade show, a group of Singapore businessmen will visit the country from July to August for inbound business missions.
Singapore is one of the Philippines’ top trading partners. Philippine exports to the city state amounted to US$4.32 billion in 2018, while payment for goods imports from Singapore reached $6.17 billion. Singapore is also the Philippines’ top trading partner in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations.
