Korea open to lifting tariff on Philippines agriculture products

MANILA, Philippines — The Korean government is open to lifting tariffs on Philippine agricultural products, particularly fruit exports, the Department of Agriculture (DA) said.

Agriculture Secretary Emmanuel Piñol recently met with Korean Ambassador to the Philippines Han Dong-man to negotiate for lower import duties on fresh and processed fruit exports.

“He said they are open to it since they also don’t give tariffs to South American countries. But this will still be discussed during the state visit,” Piñol said.

Korea slaps approximately 30 percent levy on Philippine fruit exports, particularly bananas and pineapples.

President Duterte is set to visit Korea in June for an official state visit.

The two governments are expected to ink a memorandum of understanding to further boost agricultural cooperation between the two countries.

A memorandum, which calls for the implementation of the Korean Program in International Agriculture Center, will also be amended.

The Philippines accounts for nearly 90 percent of South Korea’s banana imports.