Although Philippine Exporters Confederation Inc. (Philexport) concedes that the EU is providing export opportunities for Philippine agricultural products such as coconut oil, bananas, pineapples, among others, it noted that local businesses need to meet ‘relevant requirements’ to tap into this market and benefit from the Generalized System of Preference Plus (GSP+) preferential scheme.
Theresa Sederiosa, chief trade and industry specialist in the Industry Development Division at the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI)-Region 7, said key agricultural products eligible for preferential market access to the EU under the GSP+ scheme are coconut oil, bananas, pineapples, tuna, as well as products derived therefrom.
According to data from the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), exports of agricultural goods from the Philippines to the EU in 2021 amounted to USD1.39 billion, or equivalent to 16.3 percent of the country’s total exports to the EU.
To export agricultural products, Sederiosa said businesses need first to comply with the steps required in the Philippines. She then also underscored the need for exporters to comply with any product-specific rules that apply to products to be placed on the EU market.
Source: businessmirror.com.ph