China to lift import bans on Philippine fruit companies - FreshFruitPortal.com

China to lift import bans on Philippine fruit companies

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China to lift import bans on Philippine fruit companies

As relations between China and the Philippines improve, so too does the likelihood of renewal in the fruit trade.

Citing pest threats and pesticide residue concerns but widely believed to be political, Chinese authorities placed temporary suspensions on 27 Philippine fruit exporters in June, mostly involving bananas.

Moreover, the South China Sea ruling in July made matters more difficult for Philippine companies that were still officially allowed in the market. Banana-shutterstock_156244448

Since then new Philippine president Rodrigo Duterte has changed tack on foreign policy, expressing anti-U.S. sentiment and looking more to China.

The Business Mirror reported Chinese Ambassador to the Philippines Zhao Jianhua told Agriculture Secretary Emmanuel F. Piñol Beijing had decided to lift the ban on many of the country's banana and pineapple exporters.

Of the 27 exporters suspended by Chinese authorities, the Bureau of Plant Industry (BPI) said 10 had made "corrective actions", the story reported. These groups include Sumifru, Tagum Agricultural Development Trade Co. Inc., Stanfilco Division of DOLE Philippines Inc. and Lapanday Diversified Products Corporations.

The story reported the General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine (AQSIQ) sent an inspection team to the Southeast Asian country to evaluate the measures on Sept. 18.

"The DA appreciates very much the action of the Chinese government, as this will provide relief to our banana farmers and exporters," Piñol was quoted as saying.

The story reported DA documents showed Duterte had previously called on China to increase its purchases of Philippine products; not just bananas, but also mangoes, coconuts, dragon fruit and seafood.

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