In a news release dated February 14, Agriculture Secretary Francisco P. Tiu Laurel Jr. signed Department Circular No. 05 restoring market access for its wild birds and their products — including chicken meat, day-old chicks, and semen — provided they originate from disease-free areas.

The move follows a technical review by the Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI) that is investigating the Dutch government’s public health controls and outbreak management.

The BAI found that The Netherlands has adequately managed and implemented measures that have resulted in a low risk of disease spread. Under the system, trade restrictions are limited to affected areas rather than the entire country, where veterinary authorities demonstrate robust surveillance and biosecurity.

Secretary Tiu Laurel said the decision reflects the risk-based approach to local agriculture and science-based control while maintaining open trade.

“Regionalization is a smart, science-based safeguard that will protect Philippine poultry while we fulfill our trade obligations,” said Tiu Laurel.

“After careful review, we are confident that The Netherlands’ veterinary controls as well as disease prevention measures have effectively reduced the risk of HPAI from accredited areas,” he added.

All import transactions will proceed under the agreed terms and conditions and existing DA rules and regulations. The order will take effect 15 days after it is published on the DA’s official website and filed with the Office of the National Administrative Register.

For local poultry stakeholders and food processors, this decision restores a major source of supply in Europe while balancing strict border control measures with the continuity of trade.

Key priorities include modernizing abaca farming with improved varieties, building post-harvest and processing facilities, expanding exports of finished goods such as luxury paper and composites, and empowering farmers through stronger integration into social enterprises. Achieving this requires a coordinated strategy driven by government support, scientific innovation, and robust public–private collaboration.

In line with this vision, the private sector-led consultative body on fiber development facilitated by the Philippine Council for Agriculture and Fisheries (PCAF) has adopted four key policy resolutions aimed at modernizing and strengthening the abaca industry to sustain the country’s global leadership in natural fibers.

The PCAF National Sectoral Committee on Fiber Crops (NSC-Fiber Crops), in a report shared with the Philippine Exporters Confederation, Inc., said the resolutions adopted between January and September 2025 have been endorsed to concerned government agencies for implementation. PCAF, the policy advisory arm of the Department of Agriculture (DA), brings together public and private stakeholders to craft strategies that advance the country’s agriculture and fisheries sectors.

The first resolution endorsed to the DA supports the 2026 budget proposal of the Philippine Fiber Industry Development Authority (PhilFIDA) amounting to over ₱1.4 million. The proposed funding will establish common drying facilities to enhance fiber quality, expand abaca production in Region IV-B, open a PhilFIDA regional office in Region VI, and improve disease indexing systems in Mindanao.

A second resolution urges the Department of Science and Technology–Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development (DOST-PCAARRD) to include NSC and PCAF members in monitoring the Abaca Hybrid Fiber Project, which evaluates the commercial potential of abaca hybrid fibers for large-scale industrial use. PCAARRD has confirmed the committee’s inclusion in the project’s monitoring team.

The third resolution calls on the DA to establish an abaca demonstration farm to serve as a technology and training hub promoting innovation, improved abaca varieties, sustainable production practices, and value-chain development. PhilFIDA has committed to include this project in its 2027 budget proposal.

Meanwhile, the fourth resolution seeks stronger inter-agency collaboration between the DA, DOST–Philippine Textile Research Institute, and other partners to enhance the production of high-quality abaca yarn for global markets.

Despite being the dominant player in global abaca trade, the Philippine industry faces persistent challenges, including traditional farming methods, limited access to modern technologies, weak disease management, and insufficient R&D support.

PCAF NSC-Fiber Crops emphasized that modernizing the abaca industry is key to sustaining export growth while promoting inclusive development. “Strengthening the fiber industry contributes to rural employment, environmental sustainability, and economic resilience—key drivers of long-term competitiveness for Philippine agriculture,” the committee stated.

On October 29, DTI officials conducted an inspection in Makati City, checking the prices and supply levels of basic necessities and prime commodities (BNPCs) such as candles and bottled water, items in high demand during the observance of All Saints’ and All Souls’ Days.

The inspection revealed that all 224 stock-keeping units (SKUs) of monitored goods were within the DTI’s suggested retail price (SRP), reflecting stable market conditions.

DTI Secretary Cristina A. Roque emphasized that the activity underscores the agency’s ongoing commitment to consumer protection and market stability.

“We commend our retailers for upholding fair prices in the interest and welfare of our consumers. Rest assured that the DTI will continue to diligently monitor the markets to keep prices affordable while also ensuring that our businesses remain sustainable and profitable, so that it will be a win-win for all,” Secretary Roque said.

Since the start of October, the DTI has inspected 19 flower shops to ensure compliance with SRPs and to encourage vendors to maintain reasonable pricing amid increased demand.

As Chairperson of the National Price Coordinating Council (NPCC), Secretary Roque also joined Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. in monitoring wet markets, checking the prices of rice, meat, fish, fruits, and vegetables across 10 market stalls.

These activities form part of the DTI–DA joint efforts to safeguard price stability and supply adequacy of essential commodities nationwide. To date, both agencies have conducted 23 joint market monitoring operations this year, reinforcing their shared goal of keeping consumer goods affordable while supporting fair and responsible business practices.

According to a Department of Agriculture news release, the meeting took place during the state visit of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to Cambodia and focused on deepening collaboration in agricultural trade, food security, and market access for farm products.

Minister Dith expressed optimism that Cambodia’s agricultural exports to the Philippines, particularly its premium aromatic rice, would see an uptick, citing growing demand in Manila and other urban areas.

Secretary Tiu Laurel, for his part, acknowledged that Cambodian products such as rice, fish, meat, and vegetables could help meet the needs of the Philippines’ expanding population. He added that the Philippines is preparing to welcome more Cambodian agricultural goods into its domestic market, a move expected to enhance bilateral trade and food supply resilience.

“This bilateral meeting is a step forward to flesh out the agreement signed earlier this year by the Philippines and Cambodia on agricultural trade, cooperation, and knowledge transfer,” said Tiu Laurel.

The talks concluded with both sides reaffirming their commitment to strengthen cooperation in agriculture, ensure mutual food security, and promote sustainable trade between their countries.

In February, the Philippines and Cambodia signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on Agricultural and Agribusiness Cooperation during the state visit of Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet to Manila.

The agreement aims to boost investments in Cambodia’s agriculture sector, especially rice production, and explore trade opportunities in vegetables and meat, while enhancing technical exchange and training.

As part of the ongoing collaboration, Secretary Tiu Laurel and Minister Dith visited the Khmer Food Group and the Tram Bok Modern Agricultural Community to observe best practices in vegetable farming and agri-innovation.

The ban also covers the import of embryos and semen.

The import ban does not include hides that are salt-treated or have undergone ante- and post-mortem; meal and flour from blood, meat other than skeletal muscle or bone; casings, gelatine, and collagen, tallow, hooves and horns; milk and milk products that have undergone pasteurization.

These import bans are specified in Memorandum Orders 43 and 44 issued on August 1, 2025.

According to Agriculture Secretary Francisco P. Tiu Laurel Jr., this step is a precautionary measure to protect the country’s livestock industry against LSD, a highly contagious viral disease that primarily affects cattle and buffalo.

LSD causes fever and characteristic skin lesions in affected animals. It is usually transmitted by blood-sucking insects such as flies, mosquitoes, and ticks. Although rarely fatal, it can cause significant declines in milk production, weight loss, and disruption to trade.

In Italy, the outbreak was reported on July 18 in Orani, Nuoro, and Sardegna and confirmed by the National Reference Centre for Exotic Animal Diseases.

In France, a similar case was reported in Chambéry on June 23, which was confirmed by the French veterinary office.

According to the DA, the temporary ban is in accordance with international animal health standards set by the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) and supported by existing regulations in the Philippines.

The ban will remain in place until further notice, while monitoring the prevention and eradication measures in the affected countries.

In a significant boost for the country’s export industry, Filipino food exporters generated $46.52 million in confirmed sales during their participation in THAIFEX – Anuga Asia 2025, one of Asia’s most prestigious food and beverage exhibitions held in Bangkok, Thailand.

Spearheaded by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), the 22-company Philippine delegation—showcased under the “Taste of the Philippines” pavilion—represented the nation’s growing ambition to establish itself as a global food export player. The event, which draws thousands of buyers and distributors from across Asia and the world, served not only as a sales platform but a strategic learning venue.

“We recognize that Thailand’s title as the ‘Kitchen of the World’ is backed by decades of investment in food innovation, safety, and packaging,” said Maria Emmanuelle Burgos, Commercial Counsellor of the Philippine Trade and Investment Center (PTIC)-Bangkok. “Our presence here is part of a long-term strategy to gather insights that can be adapted to strengthen the Philippines’ position in the global food value chain.”

The delegation engaged in targeted activities including:

* A seminar on advanced packaging and printing trends
* Benchmarking visits to Thailand’s National Food Institute
* Market-sensing trips to retail food hubs, supermarkets, and farms

Among the featured products were processed fruits, ready-to-heat meals, noodles, condiments, snacks, cacao-based goods, beverages, and baked products—offering a snapshot of the Philippines’ diverse food production potential. Participating companies included Mama Sita’s, Mega Prime Foods, KLT Fruits, Super Q, and others under the coordination of DTI, the Department of Agriculture, PTIC-Bangkok, PHILEXPORT, and PHILFOODEX.

Kenneth Ochia, Marketing Manager of KLT Fruits, Inc., described the impact:
“Thaifex gave our products high visibility and allowed us to directly engage with quality buyers. We see great potential in these new markets.”

Toward a future-ready Philippine food export ecosystem

The Philippine delegation’s presence at THAIFEX reflects a deeper transformation happening in the country’s export agenda—one that fuses trade promotion with institutional capacity building and agri-innovation.

Industry insiders believe that adopting global standards in packaging, digital traceability, and value-added processing will be pivotal for the Philippines to achieve sustained export growth.

As DTI and private sector players align efforts, the Philippines is poised to evolve from a commodity exporter to a regional powerhouse of branded, culturally rich food products.

Through a memorandum of understanding (MOU), SMFI will establish and manage buying stations for key crops such as corn, cassava, sorghum, and soybeans. With this, farmers will have direct access to an institutional buyer, ensuring a stable and fair market for their produce and delivering better financial returns.

The partnership also incorporates strategies to modernize and streamline agricultural supply chains nationwide. These improvements are expected to promote long-term growth and sustainability in the sector benefiting farmers, consumers, and the entire country.

To further support the agricultural community, SMFI will share laboratory procedures for crop acceptance and conduct capacity-building seminars for DA-recognized farmer cooperatives and associations (FCAs). Additionally, it will offer its food products to cooperatives, creating opportunities for additional income.

The DA, on the other hand, will introduce advanced technologies to improve crop monitoring and harvest volume projections. It will also provide technical assistance to SMFI’s farmer partners, particularly those in DA-recognized FCAs.

Moreover, the DA will deliver quality assurance training, support SMFI’s information campaigns for direct buying and community reseller programs, and grant access to select research stations for varietal preservation and planting material development.

“This partnership will not only benefit the farmers, but also the broader society as a whole. By sourcing quality local ingredients for feed production, we can significantly reduce import costs which will in turn lower prices of meat in the market, eggs, and several other meat (products) for consumers — creating a win-win scenario for both producers and households by ensuring that only high-quality raw materials are used,” said Francisco Tiu Laurel, Jr., Secretary of the Department of Agriculture, in a statement.

“We are also safeguarding the health of our consumers. Let us continue to harness this partnership to create a more sustainable and resilient local agriculture industry that will empower our farmers and ensure food security, and drive economic growth in the country,” he added.

San Miguel Food and Beverage Inc. (SMFB) Chairman Ramon S. Ang added, “This partnership allows us to invest directly in our farmers and the future of Philippine agriculture. By offering fair prices and consistent support, we help farmers improve their livelihoods and make agriculture a more sustainable and rewarding industry.”

The signing of the MOU was led by DA Undersecretary Roger Navarro and San Miguel Foods Group General Manager Emmanuel Macalalag. The ceremony was attended by key representatives from DA-recognized farmer cooperatives and associations, together with senior officials from both organizations.

This agreement aims to create crop-specific drought maps from satellite data, with a focus on rice. PhilSA will leverage rice maps and field data from the DA-PhilRice to generate rice-specific drought maps, which will provide valuable insights for agricultural planning and resilience.

The signing of this agreement formalizes secure and efficient data sharing between the two agencies for enhanced drought mitigation.

In her opening remarks, PhilSA Deputy Director General for Space Science and Technology Dr. Gay Jane P. Perez expressed how this is a momentous step in the use of space data for addressing agricultural drought concerns—an endeavor that has been in development for over a decade, starting with the Drought and Crop Assessment and Forecasting (DCAF) project co-implemented by the University of the Philippines Institute of Environmental Science and Meteorology (UP IESM), Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA), and Department of Agriculture-Bureau of Soils and Water Management (DA-BSWM), and now being operationalized through PhilSA. “We are celebrating partnership. This collaboration with PhilRice underpins the importance of integrating satellite and ground data, emphasizing how ground data is used to validate, calibrate, and enhance the accuracy of satellite-derived insights and models,” Dr. Perez said.

The OIC of the PhilRice Office of the Deputy Director for Research and Philippine Rice Information System (PRiSM) Project Leader, Dr. Eduardo Jimmy Quilang, stated the importance of this partnership with PhilSA for the agricultural sector’s benefit. “We cannot realize our goals, our dreams, our mission, our vision alone. Our research for development is heavily partnership-based. That’s why right now we are more than happy to sign our memorandum of agreement—sharing what we have and complementing what you are doing,” Dr. Quilang said.

The MOA was signed by PhilRice Executive Director Dr. John De Leon and PhilSA Deputy Director General Denis Villorente (representing PhilSA Director General Joel Joseph S. Marciano Jr.). Deputy Director General Gay Jane Perez and Director Ariel C. Blanco served as witnesses for PhilSA, while Deputy Director Quilang and PRiSM Assistant Unit Head Mary Rose Mabalay (representing PRiSM Unit Head Jovino De Dios) served as witnesses for PhilRice.

This agreement provides a platform to maximize the impact of PhilSA’s Satellite Mission Analysis, Planning, Product Enhancement and Development (SatMAPPED) project, which aims to monitor, predict, and mitigate drought impacts on agriculture through space-based technologies. It also signifies further enhancement of the country’s resilience to the impacts of drought on agriculture.

Agriculture Assistant Secretary and spokesman Arnel De Mesa announced the upcoming milestone, noting that the DA is close to finalizing a $1 billion foreign-assisted project with the World Bank.

In line with these efforts, the DA, in collaboration with the Development Bank of the Philippines (DBP) and Planters Products Inc., officially launched the Agri-Puhunan at Pantawid (APP) Programin Guimba, Nueva Ecija, on Monday.

The APP program seeks to revolutionize the agriculture sector by providing rice farmers with financial and input support to enhance productivity and sustainability. Under the program, farmers will receive P28,000 in input credits per hectare and P32,000 in financial assistance, payable over four months at a low-interest rate of 2 percent.

Key partners in the program include the Development Bank of the Philippines (DBP), which will manage loans through Intervention Monitoring Cards; Planters Products, which will ensure access to affordable fertilizers and farm inputs; Philippine Crop Insurance Corp., which continues to offer insurance coverage for farmer-beneficiaries; and the National Irrigation Administration, which coordinates  water releases to align with climate-resilient cropping schedules.

The National Food Authority (NFA) and the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) will act as ready buyers of farmers’ harvests, with surplus sales to private traders helping farmers repay their loans.

Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr., through DA Undersecretary Asis Perez, highlighted the program’s transformative potential during the inauguration. “This program addresses long-standing challenges in the agriculture sector—from access to affordable capital to climate resilience and guaranteed market access. It is a movement toward sustainable development,” said Tiu Laurel.

The APP initiative also supports the shift in the rice cropping calendar to mitigate the impacts of climate change and ensures that farmer-members of agricultural cooperatives across 1.2 million hectares benefit from affordable credit, crop insurance, and higher yields.

Once fully implemented, the program is expected to contribute significantly to food security, raise farmer incomes, and empower rural communities.

This dual-pronged approach of securing foreign financing and launching farmer-centered initiatives underscores the DA’s commitment to transforming Philippine agriculture into a sustainable and resilient sector.

“This is a testament to the Philippines’ dedication to expanding its agricultural exports and the high quality of our farm produce,” said Agriculture Secretary Francisco P. Tiu Laurel, Jr. “We are optimistic that this access granted by Japan will lead to opportunities in other international markets for locally-grown Hass avocados.”

Secretary Tiu Laurel also commended the collaborative efforts of the Bureau of Plant Industry (BPI), the Office of the Agriculture Attaché in Tokyo, and Dole Stanfilco in achieving this international trade milestone.

BPI Director Glenn Panganiban said that the inclusion of Hass avocados in the Philippine export portfolio to Japan, which already includes bananas and pineapples, is the culmination of over a decade of effort, with initial access requests dating back to 2011. 

“Securing access to Japan’s highly competitive market for Hass avocados is a significant step forward in our trade relations with Japan,” Panganiban said.

This development comes at a time when the Philippines’ agricultural exports to Japan are experiencing an upward trend. In 2023, the Philippines exported USD 1.1 billion worth of agri-fisheries products to Japan, generating a trade surplus of USD 990 million. The addition of Hass avocados further solidifies the Philippines’ position as a key supplier of high-quality fruits to Japan, a market renowned for its discerning consumers.

The Hass variety, favored for its smaller size and pebbly skin that turns purplish-black when ripe, is particularly well-suited to Japanese preferences.

Japan is a major importer of Hass avocados, with imports valued at USD 160 million (61,000 metric tons) in 2023. Key suppliers include Mexico, Peru, Australia, New Zealand, and the United States.

“We are proud to announce that the Philippines is the first country in Asia to export Hass avocados to Japan,” said Tokyo-based Agriculture Attaché Aleli Maghirang. “This provides local producers with an excellent opportunity to capitalize on Japan’s growing demand for fresh fruits.”

Gaining entry into Japan’s discriminating market is anticipated to pave the way for Philippine-grown Hass avocados to access other international markets. The successful entry of Hass avocados underscores the potential for further expansion of Philippine agricultural product exports.

With increasing demand for Philippine fruits in Japan and globally, the Philippines is well-positioned to strengthen its presence in the Japanese market and expand its agricultural exports throughout Asia and beyond.

The global market for Hass avocados is projected to reach USD 18 billion by next year.