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The Philippines and New Zealand are in talks to allow durian into the NZ market
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President Ferdinand Marcos said trade ministries of both countries are already in discussion for the export of durian to NZ
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NZ earlier requested for market access for its onions to the Philippines and consultations for this are expected to be completed soon
The Philippines and New Zealand are in talks to allow Philippine durian to the New Zealand market.
“We are talking about right now (with) our appropriate ministries… [They] are already in discussion on how to achieve this [durian export],” President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. told New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon during a bilateral meeting in Laos on the sidelines of the 44th and 45th Association of Southeast Asian Nations Summit and Related Summits.
For his part, Luxon said: “I think on the economic front, we’ve talked about onions and pineapples. Pineapples are coming to New Zealand, onions [are] going to the Philippines, I hope. So, I think we’ve made some good progress there,” Luxon said.
New Zealand earlier requested for market access for its onions to the Philippines. There are ongoing consultations between the Philippine Department of Agriculture and the Ministry for Primary Industries of New Zealand, which are expected to be completed soon.
Last February, former Philippine trade secretary Alfredo Pascual signed the Second Protocol to Amend the Agreement Establishing the ASEAN-Australia-New Zealand FTA (AANZFTA).
READ: DTI signs 2 instruments enhancing FTA with Australia and NZ, HK
According to the New Zealand Foreign Affairs and Trade Ministry, 90% of New Zealand’s trade to the Philippines is duty-free under AANZFTA.
In 2023, New Zealand exported $955.22 million in total goods and services to Philippines and imported $385.78 million,
The Philippines and New Zealand established diplomatic relations on July 6, 1966.
