October 15, 2026 | Manila Bulletin |
The Philippines is seeking to expand agricultural trade with South Africa by securing market access for Philippine mango exports while reviewing import requirements for South African fruits.
Representatives from the Philippine Bureau of Plant Industry (BPI), led by Director Gerald Glenn F. Panganiban, recently met with a South African delegation headed by Ambassador Bartinah Ntombizodwa Radebe-Netshitenzhe. Discussions focused on obtaining market clearance for Philippine mangoes and evaluating South Africa’s requests to export apples and pears to the Philippines.
The two sides also reviewed existing sanitary and phytosanitary requirements for South African citrus imports. Technical representatives and industry organizations participated in discussions concerning pest risk assessments, plant quarantine measures, and food safety standards.
The initiative supports the Philippine government’s efforts to diversify export destinations, increase agricultural export revenues, and strengthen international market opportunities for domestic growers and processors.
Both countries plan to continue technical evaluations and develop clear import requirements to facilitate agricultural trade while protecting domestic production from exotic pests and diseases. Commercial shipments under the proposed arrangements will depend on the completion of the necessary regulatory assessments and approvals.
