Negotiations come after the country gained access for durian in May
The Philippines is looking to expand on its agricultural exports to Egypt after it recently gained access for durian, according to Manilla Bulletin.
The publication reported that department of agriculture (DA) secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel met with Egyptian ambassador to the Philippines Nader Nabil Zaki in early-June to explore new trade opportunities for the country’s fresh produce.
“They already granted us access for durian. We are hopeful they will do the same for our mangoes and bananas,” Laurel said in a statement.
The Philippines gained access for durian in May 2025 after nearly two years of negotiations, pest risk assessments, and regulatory cooperation between the two governments. The Bureau of Plant Industry (BPI), an attached agency of the DA, said the access agreement reflects growing global confidence in the Philippines’ plant health and safety systems.
According to Manilla Bulletin, Laurel is looking to facilitate the entry of Egyptian grapes and potatoes to the Philippines in exchange for the recent durian access, as well as the potential entry for bananas and mangoes.
Laurel said the government is also exploring the potential of sourcing garlic and onions from Egypt with technical assistance and information exchange already planned.
Based on government data, current agricultural trade between the two countries stands at around US$7.5mn annually with the Philippines primarily exporting desiccated coconut and carrageenan and importing goods such as broths, soups, and dried kidney beans.
According to the DA, the private sector is optimistic about the potential for deeper trade connections with Egypt, particularly given its capacity as a gateway to regional markets in Africa and the Middle East.
Last month also saw the Philippines gain access for fresh mangoes to Italy and it is currently in negotiations to bring durian to New Zealand.
