MANILA is keen on gaining a stronger foothold in Eastern European markets where Philippine farm products, such as coconut oil and mangoes, are popular.
The Department of Agriculture (DA) said Belarus has expressed openness in importing local farm products, which the Philippines will showcase in an agricultural expo in Minsk in June.
The agricultural goods include green coconuts, coconut oil, coconut water, canned tunas, dried fish, bananas, pineapples, coffee and abaca handicrafts, among others.
“This will be the biggest participation by the Philippines in an Eastern European Agricultural Expo since President Rody Duterte started engaging with Russia and the other countries of the former Soviet Union,” Agriculture Secretary Emmanuel F. Piñol said in a Facebook post on Monday.
“While Belarus only has a population of 10 million, it is considered the gateway to the rest of the Eastern European market,” he added.
Piñol admitted that it’s difficult to market coconut products, particularly coconut oil, to the Eastern Europeans since they have been accustomed to using olive oil and sunflower oil.
He added that Belarus Deputy Agricultural Minister Ivan Shiltin told him that coconut products are “totally new” to Belarus.
“He suggested that a more aggressive marketing effort be initiated by the Philippine government to convince Eastern European consumers of the health benefits of coconut and its many products, including coconut sugar, syrup, flour and virgin oil,” Piñol said.
The opening of new markets for coconut products is part of the measures by the government to raise local copra prices by reducing the glut in the domestic market through exports.
The Philippines will join over 20 other countries in the Bel-Agro Festival slated from June 4 to 9 to display the countries’ respective top agricultural and fisheries products.
Furthermore, the DA is eyeing to partner with local broadcasting companies in Eastern European markets to intensify its information campaign on Philippine farm products.
Mangoes
In a related development, the country is expected to make an initial shipment of Guimaras mangoes to Moscow by first week of April, Piñol said.
Piñol added that the DA intends to market Philippine mangoes according to their variety and province of origin with the Guimaras produce being the premium product.
“Eastern Europe is eagerly awaiting the first shipment of mangoes from the Philippines, especially the world-famous and iconic Guimaras Mango,” he said.
“Those from Zambales and Pangasinan will also be labeled according to the name of the provinces, while those from Cebu, Iloilo, Davao and Cotabato will also carry the name of the provinces,” he added.
Piñol said mangoes in Eastern Europe are being sold at P1,000 apiece, and they “are not even half as sweet as the Philippine mango.”
“The entry of the sweet Philippine mango into the Russian and Belarusian markets could radically change the preference of consumers in Eastern Europe,” he said.
Piñol said the Philippine delegation started its marketing campaign in the 180-million population Eastern European markets last Friday with various engagements between different government officials and members of the private sector.
Investment
Belarus-based Minsk Tractor Works (MTW) has signified interest to invest in the Philippines by putting up a farm machinery assembly plant, Piñol said.
The Belarusian firm made the pronouncement during a bilateral talk with the Philippine delegation headed by the DA.
Piñol said MTW expressed their investment interest after getting assurances that the Philippine government will ensure ease of doing business in the country without any corruption.
“It has not penetrated the Philippine market in spite of previous attempts, however, because of the tedious government procurement process in the past, according to Alexandre Badytchyk, deputy head of the commercial department of [MTW],” he said.
“Assured that the Duterte administration has initiated a campaign to check corruption in government, especially in the procurement of equipment, machinery and supplies, Minsk Tractor Works officials said they will immediately send a delegation to the Philippines to scout for possible local distributors,” he added.
Image credits: Photo Courtesy World Coconut Congress Facebook Account