The Philippines is working to export durian to New Zealand, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. announced.
Discussions are ongoing between the Department of Agriculture and New Zealand’s Ministry for Primary Industries.
“We are talking about right now (with) our appropriate ministries. Ours is the Department of Agriculture for the Philippines and the Ministry for Primary Industries in New Zealand. [They] are already in discussion on how to achieve this [durian export],” Marcos Jr. told Prime Minister Christopher Luxon during a bilateral meeting in Laos on the sidelines of the 44th and 45th ASEAN Summit and Related Summits.
Luxon noted that both countries have made progress in various areas, including trade and security.
He added that while pineapples are already being exported to New Zealand, there are hopes for Philippine onions to enter their market as well.
“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. He also cited the positive developments in education, as well as political relation.
Meanwhile, the two countries concluded bilateral agreements on defense and military, environment, and labor, air services, law enforcement to combat transnational crimes, and work holiday scheme.
The Philippines and New Zealand will commemorate the 60th year of the establishment of their diplomatic relations in July 2026.IMT
