Strengthening Agricultural Ties: Philippines and Italy Boost Trade and Cooperation

Strategic Insights -

Philippine Agriculture Senior Undersecretary Domingo F. Panganiban met with Italian Agriculture Minister Francesco Lollobrigida in Rome to discuss bilateral trade and cooperation in agriculture. The meeting highlighted the growing agri-food trade between the two countries, with total trade valued at USD 272 million in 2022, a 50% increase from 2020 and 10% higher than in 2021. The Philippines' top exports to Italy in 2022 included crude coconut oil, tunas, and pineapples, while Italy's top exports to the Philippines included flour, meals, and dog or cat food.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Philippines and Italy have a strong bilateral trade relationship in agriculture, with total agri-food trade valued at USD 272 million in 2022.
  • The Philippines' top agri-food export products to Italy in 2022 were crude coconut oil, tunas, and pineapples, while Italy's top exports to the Philippines included flour, meals, and dog or cat food.
  • An Italian Trade Mission visited the Philippines in March 2023 to discuss ways to strengthen trade relations between the two countries.
  • The Philippines is interested in collaborating with Italy on agricultural mechanization, smart agriculture technologies, and climate resiliency in agriculture.
  • Italian Agriculture Minister Francesco Lollobrigida welcomed the updates and expressed his desire to further strengthen agricultural relations with the Philippines.

Statistics:

  • Total agri-food trade between the Philippines and Italy was valued at USD 272 million in 2022.
  • The Philippines' agri-food trade with Italy increased by 50% from 2020 and 10% from 2021.
  • The Philippines' top agri-food export products to Italy in 2022 included crude coconut oil, tunas, and pineapples.
  • Italy's top agri-food export products to the Philippines in 2022 were flour, meals, and dog or cat food.

Sources:

  • "Philippines and Italy to boost agricultural ties" by Al Bawaba (Albawaba.com)
  • ISMEA report on Italian Agri-food sector at Palazzo Merulana on 17 October 2023