PH exports first Hass avocado supply to Japan — DA

The Philippines has exported its first Hass avocado supply to Japan, with the first shipment coming from Mindanao, the Department of Agriculture (DA) said Sunday.

"This is a testament to the Philippines' dedication to expanding its agricultural exports and the high quality of our farm produce," Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. said in a statement.

"We are proud to announce that the Philippines is the first country in Asia to export Hass avocados to Japan," Tokyo-based Agriculture Attaché Aleli Maghirang added.

"This provides local producers with an excellent opportunity to capitalize on Japan's growing demand for fresh fruits," she said

The Hass avocado is a smaller variety of avocado. It has pebbly skin and turns purplish-black when ripe.

Japan is a major importer of Hass avocados, with imports amounting to $160 million with 61,000 metric tons in 2023.

Among its suppliers include Mexico, Peru, Australia, New Zealand and the United States.

"Securing access to Japan's highly competitive market for Hass avocados is a significant step forward in our trade relations with Japan," DA Bureau of Plant Industry Director Glenn Panganiban said in the same statement.

According to DA, the development in Hass avocado exportation coincides with the upward trend in the Philippines' agricultural exports to Japan.

In 2023, the Philippines exported $1.1 billion worth of agri-fisheries products to Japan, creating $990 million worth of trade surplus.

"We are optimistic that this access granted by Japan will lead to opportunities in other international markets for locally-grown Hass avocados,” Laurel said.

The global market for Hass avocados is expected to reach $8 billion by 2025.
—Mariel Celine Serquiña/RF, GMA Integrated News