June 25, 2026
MANILA – The Philippines is strengthening agricultural ties with Egypt and Laos as it expands its export markets for locally produced farm goods.
The Department of Agriculture (DA) said the expanded agricultural cooperation between Manila and Cairo involves fertilizer imports and tuna exports.
Egypt has signified its interest in importing Philippine tuna, among the country’s top agricultural exports, along with locally produced papaya and pineapple.
“Beyond tuna, the Philippines is promoting a broader basket of products, including bananas, mangoes, coconuts, durian, tobacco, pomelo, and dragon fruit,” the DA said in a statement on Wednesday.
Egypt—one of the world’s major fertilizer producers—is currently exploring a long-term supply deal with Philippine stakeholders, including Planters Products Inc.
The DA is conducting a feasibility study to determine potential procurement opportunities, while Egyptian officials vowed to will provide a list of fertilizer manufacturers.
Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. said he is optimistic about the outcome of these negotiations, which came as the government aims to diversify sources of farm inputs, lower production costs, and reduce vulnerability to global supply disruptions.
“We see significant potential to expand agricultural cooperation with Egypt, not only in securing reliable fertilizer supplies for our farmers but also in creating new market opportunities for Philippine agricultural exports,” Tiu Laurel said.
The Philippine government is securing approvals to supply fresh bananas and mangoes to the Egyptian market. Likewise, negotiations on a pending Specific Commodity Understanding continue to move forward.
Beyond expanding market access, Manila and Cairo are working on an accord for development and related agricultural initiatives.
In a separate development, the DA and Laos’ Minister of Agriculture and Environment signed an updated memorandum of understanding on agricultural cooperation during Tiu Laurel’s official visit to Vientiane.
“The new pact modernizes a bilateral framework first established in 1998 and significantly widens the scope of collaboration to include strategic crops, climate-resilient farming, agricultural technology, research, postharvest systems, and sanitary and phytosanitary standards—areas increasingly critical as Southeast Asian economies grapple with food security challenges and supply chain disruptions,” the agency said.
During bilateral discussions, Manila and Vientiane identified opportunities to boost trade in seafood, coconut products, coffee, corn, livestock such as goats and carabaos and other agricultural commodities.
They committed to facilitating business missions and stronger links between Philippine and Lao enterprises.
Agricultural inputs, particularly potash fertilizers, are a key area of interest, as Laos holds significant resource potential.
“Our partnership with Laos advances all three, creating a stronger foundation for trade, investment, and sustainable agricultural growth,” the agriculture chief said.
The Philippines and Laos agreed to form a joint agriculture committee to oversee projects under their accord.
It is expected to oversee technical exchanges, capacity-building programs, joint research initiatives, and other collaborative activities.
The DA, for its part, offered to share expertise in agricultural mechanization and related technologies.