The Department of Agriculture is eyeing to stage trade exhibitions in Italy to ramp up the volume of Philippine exports to the European country.
Last 30 September, Agriculture senior undersecretary Domingo Panganiban met with the Italian Ambassador Marco Clemente and First Secretary Mr. Eugeniu Rotaru to reaffirm the agricultural partnership between the Philippines and Italy.
Panganiban said the volume of Philippine exports could be increased by organizing a trade exhibition in Milan and participating in the Mercato Ortofrutticolo, the central market in Milan projected to be one of the largest fruit and vegetable marketplaces in Europe by 2025.
He also said the DA is looking at possibly shipping tropical fruits like mangoes, pili, and coconuts to Italy.
Likewise, he encouraged the continued support of Italy with other export commodities like tuna, pineapples, frozen fish meat, carrageenan, and desiccated coconut.
Based on government data, there was a 40 percent increase in agriculture trade between the Philippines and Italy in 2021.
With the trade balance in favor of Italy at $19.42 million, Ambassador Clemente guaranteed strong support from the Embassy to address the gap.
Italy is the home to International Organizations such as the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations.
FAO is a specialized agency of the UN that leads international efforts to end hunger, establish food security for everyone, and ensure that people have reliable access to sufficient nutritious food to live active, healthy lives.
It has been a critical partner of the Department in providing policy support and technical assistance in several areas that will help the Philippines attain food security.
Italy and the Philippines will celebrate their 75th year of diplomatic relations in December — reflecting the strength of their bilateral ties.