DA Aims to Export More Agri Products to Canada

The Department of Agriculture (DA) aims to export more farm and fishery products to Canada by at least doubling the value in the medium term as the Philippines looks to expand economic and trade relations with said country.  

“We wish to improve our balance of trade with Canada in succeeding years by selling more Filipino products like coconut water, virgin coconut oil or VCO, pineapples, mangoes, and melons,” said Agriculture Secretary William Dar, during a virtual courtesy call of new Canadian Ambassador to the Philippines, His Excellency Peter MacArthur, on August 7, 2020.

In 2019, the Philippines exported to Canada close to US$98.8 million (M) of farm and fishery products, led by coconut products, totaling $23.8M; pineapples, dried guavas, mangoes and mangosteen - $10.3M; and bangus and tuna - $9.4M. With about one million Filipinos residing and working in Canada, representing 2.7 percent of that country’s 37.7 M population, according to latest estimates, demand for various Philippine food products is expected to grow.