Philippines Pushes for Banana Tariff Cuts in Japan Talks

TOKYO – The Philippine government is seeking lower tariffs on banana exports to Japan to sustain its market dominance and support livelihoods in Mindanao.

Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. led a delegation in high-level meetings with Japanese officials, including State Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Hirofumi Takinami and Liberal Democratic Party Secretary General Hiroshi Moriyama. He proposed a review of the Philippines-Japan Economic Partnership Agreement (PJEPA) to secure fairer trade terms, the Philippine Embassy said Friday.

“The banana industry is a lifeline for thousands of farmers and workers, especially in Mindanao, where it serves as a major economic pillar,” Tiu Laurel said.

“The Philippines takes great pride in being the leading supplier of fresh bananas to Japan. To sustain and expand this industry, we must push for tariff reductions on our bananas. This will not only attract greater investment in banana production but also drive poverty alleviation, job creation, and security in Mindanao,” he added.

Under PJEPA, Japan imposes an 18 percent tariff on Philippine bananas in winter and eight percent in summer, but it has not committed to reviewing the agreement.

As of 2024, the Philippines supplies 75% of Japan’s fresh bananas.

“The Japan Banana Importers Association (JBIA) has consistently recognized Philippine bananas for their exceptional quality, citing the country’s close proximity to Japan, which ensures superior freshness and taste,” the embassy said in a news release.

The banana industry plays a vital role in the Philippine economy, particularly in Mindanao, where the majority of banana farms and plantations are located. It generates an average of over $1 billion in export revenues, and supports more than 700,000 Filipino workers.

Philippine Ambassador to Japan Mylene Garcia-Albano said the visit reaffirmed the country’s commitment to strengthening agricultural trade with Japan. - Florenda Corpuz