Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. on Thursday lauded the efforts of various agricultural attaches to boost Philippine agricultural exports worldwide.

These include stationed attaches in various countries in Asia including Japan, South Korea, Thailand, China, United Arab Emirates; as well as in Italy, Belgium, Switzerland, and the United States.

In a statement, Tiu Laurel said they have performed key roles in securing bilateral and multilateral partnerships with the country’s international counterparts.

“These milestones, which secured tens of billions of pesos in export sales, would support our farm and fishery sector and at least help narrow our agricultural trade deficit. Our attaches also strengthened bilateral and multilateral relations, benefiting millions of Filipino farmers and fisherfolk,” he said.

In terms of export sales, foreign attaches helped secure around USD1.6 billion, or more than PHP93 billion, in sales and sales pledges at the China International Import Expo; followed by at least PHP1.5 billion in sales on top of the PHP3.5 billion potential sales with Malaysia during the Thaifex ANUGA 2024 trade show in Thailand; PHP361 million sales at the FOODEX Japan 2024 and the International Seafood Show Tokyo 2024; PHP297.27 million sales at the Seoul Food 2024 in South Korea; and PHP10.3 million sales in addition to PHP84.97 million negotiated agreements in AgraME 2023 in United Arab Emirates.

Key products include Philippine durian, Hass avocados, banana, Guimaras mangoes, pineapples, coconuts, pili nuts, shrimp paste, and coffee, among others.

Besides export sales, the DA also secured more official development assistance (ODA) and technical cooperation projects to boost Philippine agri-fishery trade, alongside collaboration on rainmaking technology and agri cooperatives; an opportunity to present the DA’s Hand-in-Hand Investment Proposal at the World Food Forum, and participation in crucial policy and trade forums, fairs and exhibitions.

Agriculture foreign attaches include Annalyn Lopez, Jerome Bunyi, Nolet Fulgencio, Marlito Cabunos, Dr. Josyline Javelosa, Lev Nikko Macalintal, Maria Alilia Maghirang, and Lupiño Lazaro Jr. (PNA)