Agriculture in the Philippines

UKTI has just released this overview of the Agriculture sector in the Philippines. Agriculture is one of the sectors for collaboration and support identified by the Philippine British Business Council.

• The Philippines is primarily an agricultural country despite the plan to make it a industrialised country in 2000. The country’s agricultural sector is divided into: farming, fisheries, livestock, and forestry making up 20 % of the country’s gross domestic product.

Market overview

Agriculture is a main driver of the Philippine economy and for 2012, the government increased the agriculture and agrarian reform budgets by over 50% to boost food production. The government has also allocated funding for irrigation, farm-to-market roads, and related infrastructure; and has included these in the administration’s PPP project offering.

Key opportunities

The Agriculture and Fisheries Modernisation Act of the Philippines encourages private sector to invest in new technologies for livestock raising, aquaculture, food processing & packaging, quality assurance, bio-security, logistics and agri-waste management. The growing compulsion to raise the productivity and competitiveness of farm operators offers a mix of opportunities for UK exporters in the following areas:

Genetics & Biotechnology – There is strong demand for better pig breeds. The increasing pork requirement of domestic & export markets fuelled the recent dramatic expansion of pig farms. The British Pig Association has successfully penetrated the market through the assistance of UKTI. As a result of UKTI’s continued support to the BPA, the Philippines has become their biggest market worldwide.

Another opportunity in agri-biotech is the development and propagation of high-yielding crop varieties, pest-resistant, as well as flood & drought- resistant grains and vegetables.

Aquaculture – UK exporters are yet to tap opportunities in genetic improvement & biotech applications to fisheries & aquaculture sectors, in terms of better breeds, feeds and propagation methods.

Quality Assurance & Traceability Systems – Farmers & food processors now realise the urgency to install quality control, as well as traceability systems in their operations as required by both local and export buyers. This is an opportunity for UK consultants and service providers on HACCP, logistics, and bio-security.

Agriculture Waste Management & Waste-to-Energy Conversion -The recent strict implementation of environmental regulations and increasing need for renewable energy resources are forcing farm operators to install waste management systems and waste-to-energy facilities; e.g. for biogas.

Find out about the latest business opportunities by using UKTI’s opportunity search facility on these links.

Latest export opportunities – Agriculture

Latest export opportunities – Philippines

Getting into the market

• Doing business in the Philippines is highly relational. A formal and personal introduction or partnerships with an established local firm are preferred ways to enter the market.
• Appointments are required and should be made at least two weeks in advance.
• English is the language of business.
• The Philippine government encourages inbound foreign investment and a wide range of incentives are readily available.

UKTI has produced a very helpful guide to doing business in the Philippines, including an overview of the Philippines’ economy, business culture, potential opportunities and an introduction to other relevant issues.

Contacts

Market intelligence is critical when doing business overseas, and UKTI can provide bespoke market research and support during overseas visits though our chargeable Overseas Market Introduction Service (OMIS).

To commission research or for general advice about the market, get in touch with our specialists in country – or contact your local international trade team.

Joyce Guzon-Tolentino, British Embassy Manila.

Martyn Skinner,PBBC,Co-chairman, Agribusiness