DAVAO CITY — The rejection of a shipment of Philippine bananas to Japan is now under review, exporters said, noting that such an incident could affect the entire industry.
“We will get to the bottom of it and rectify the situation,” Pilipino Banana Growers and Exporters Association, Inc. (PBGEA) Executive Director Stephen A. Antig said in a text message Friday.
Dole Japan, Inc. announced earlier this week the recall of 9,000 bunches of bananas from the Philippines after a wire was found in a fruit that was sold in a store in Aichi Prefecture.
The Stanfilco Division of Dole Philippines is one of the PBGEA members.
Company officials have yet to issue an official statement on the incident.
Meanwhile, Mr. Antig said exporters welcome the request made by the Philippine government to lower tariffs on bananas during President Rodrigo R. Duterte’s recent trip to Japan.
Mr. Antig said Trade and Industry Secretary Ramon M. Lopez presented the proposal on reduced tariffs on agricultural products to the Japanese government.
“We hope the momentum will continue until concrete results are achieved,” he said.
Japan imposes an 8% to 18% tariff, depending on the season, on Philippine bananas.
PBGEA has been lobbying the government to seek a deal towards zero tariff to keep Philippine bananas competitive with those coming from Central America, particularly Ecuador. — Carmelito Q. Francisco
