Manila, Philippines – The Department of Agriculture (DA) has established a Food Security Task Force that will focus on monitoring the movement, prices, supply, and trade of agricultural products in the country.
The primary responsibility of the Task Force is to oversee the importation and exportation of these products, particularly regarding potential trade impacts and delays along routes through the Middle East.
According to Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr., important products exported by the Philippines include pineapples and bananas, which, if not properly monitored, could force some exporters to sell their products in other markets at lower prices.
The DA is also set to coordinate with the Land Bank of the Philippines to provide assistance to exporters affected by the continuing conflict in the Middle East so they do not suffer significant trade losses.
Meanwhile, aside from the countries in the Middle East that are trade partners of the Philippines, the DA is also reaching out to Australia, Africa, Europe, and Southeast Asia as alternative markets for agricultural products.
The DA aims to protect not only the country’s food security but also the producers and exporters, who are considered significant contributors to the national economy.