The Philippines and Japan are taking concrete steps to deepen their agricultural partnership, with discussions at the 47th ASEAN Agriculture and Forestry Ministers Meeting yielding agreements that could reshape trade, technology adoption, and sustainability efforts in the sector. The talks between Philippine Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. and Japan’s Minister for Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Shinjiro Koizumi signal a strategic alignment as both nations seek to modernize farming while addressing economic and environmental challenges.
At the heart of the negotiations is the push to improve market access for Philippine agricultural exports, particularly pomelo and bananas. The Philippines remains Japan’s top banana supplier, yet its market share has eroded—dropping from 94% in 2023 to 75% in 2024—partly due to tariffs as high as 18%. Reducing these duties could help Philippine producers regain lost ground, while Japan’s proposal to export fresh grapes to the Philippines, pending pest risk assessments, introduces a new trade dynamic. With Japan importing over USD 1 billion in Philippine agricultural and fishery products in 2024, these adjustments could further solidify bilateral trade ties.
Beyond trade, the partnership is expanding into technology and sustainability. The Philippines is keen to adopt Japan’s expertise in smart agriculture, postharvest technology, and mechanization—areas critical to improving productivity and reducing losses. The proposed expansion of the existing Philippines-Japan Memorandum of Cooperation to include fisheries reflects a broader ambition to modernize both sectors. Japan’s support for initiatives like the Alternate Wetting and Drying (AWD) technology for rice farming, which reduces water use and greenhouse gas emissions, aligns with the Philippines’ green agenda and could serve as a model for climate-smart agriculture in the region.
The collaboration also extends to disaster resilience, with Japan’s recent rice donations through the ASEAN Plus Three Emergency Rice Reserve program underscoring its commitment to supporting the Philippines during crises. As the two nations approach the 70th anniversary of their diplomatic relations in 2026, plans to host the second Philippines-Japan Joint Committee on Agriculture next year will provide another platform to refine these initiatives.
Tourism and private sector engagement are emerging as additional pillars of this partnership. Japan’s invitation for the Philippines to participate in GREENxEXPO 2027, an international horticulture exhibition, presents an opportunity to showcase the country’s high-value crops and floriculture industry. With the private sector increasingly involved in agri-tourism and export-oriented farming, this collaboration could open new avenues for economic growth.
The implications of this strengthened cooperation are far-reaching. For the Philippines, access to Japanese technology and investment could accelerate agricultural modernization, making farming more efficient and sustainable. For Japan, diversifying imports and fostering innovation in partner countries strengthens its regional food security strategy. As both nations navigate global challenges like climate change and supply chain disruptions, this partnership could set a precedent for how agricultural cooperation can drive mutual prosperity while addressing shared environmental goals.