Abaca
Industry
The Philippine abaca has remained a viable source of export earnings
contributing an average of US$50 M from 1985 to 1995. It still
dominates the world market supply of 85%. Being a consistent dollar
earner and contributor to the upliftment of the socio-economic
condition of the people, abaca is identified as the flagship commodity
of the Eastern Visayas Region.
Asparagus Industry
Asparagus (Asparagus officinalis var. atilis) is an
exotic, perennial herb, whose potential for export has been overlooked
until the late 1980s, when it surfaced as one of the major promising
dollar earners for the vegetable sector. Presently, asparagus is fast
gaining the status of an emerging export winner, and with this, the
Department of Agriculture (DA) and the Department of Science and
Technology (DOST) unanimously identified it as one of the priority
vegetables under the Key Commercial Crops Development Program (KCCDP)
and the Medium-Term Research and Development Plan (MTRDP),
respectively. Asparagus is produced primarily for the international
market. It is grown for its shoots and spears which are either cooked
or processed.
Banana Industry
Under the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT), the banana
industry can take advantage of the lower tariff in the export market.
The Philippines ranks fifth in the international banana trade. The
country is the only supplier of banana chips in the world, earning
about US$60 M over the past five years. Banana chips are exported to
32 countries with the USA and EEC as the major importers. (May 1995).
Cassava Industry
Cassava has emerged from its traditional image of being a poor man's
crop into an important industrial and food crop. It grows easily even
under poor conditions and is a major crop component in mixed cropping
systems in the uplands.
Citrus Industry (Calamansi)
Calamansi or calamondin (Citrofortunella
microcarpa) is a fruit tree native to the Philippines. It is the
most commonly grown backyard tree among the citrus species. It can
thrive in a wide variety of conditions. It is a small tree with
upright branches and bears small round fruits.
Coconut Industry
The Philippines remains as the world's leading supplier of traditional
coconut products. The reduction in tariffs under the General Agreement
on Tariffs and Trade (GATT), domestic support and export subsidies
might lead to greater market access, and the country must maximize the
new opportunities and provide protection from adverse impact of the
opening of markets.
Corn
Industry
Historically, the domestic wholesale price of corn has been above
world prices by an average of 50%. Under the General Agreement on
Tariffs and Trade (GATT, the committed tariff rate of 100% will
adequately protect domestic producers from corn imports. (December
1997).
Durian Industry
As an emerging export winner, the durian industry can take advantage
of the lower tariff in the world market and trade liberalization under
the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT0. Global demand,
particularly in Asia offers bright opportunity for the industry.
Eggplant Industry
In 1999, the country ranked 7th
among the world’s top eggplant producers. Eggplant (Solanum
melongena L.) is the country’s top ranking vegetable in terms of
production value, worth P1.5B in 1997. Although it is grown in
almost all parts of the country, its production is primarily for the
domestic market. Recognizing its vital contribution to the local
economy, the Departments of Agriculture (DA) and Science and
Technology (DOST) identified eggplant, among others, as a priority
crop in their respective research and development programs. (December
2000).
Essential Oil Industry
Commercial-scale production and processing of essential oil are
expected to alleviate the country's dependence on the importation of
essential oils. The country abounds with indigenous essential
oil-bearing plants. The climate is deemed favorable for growing
essential oil-bearing plants.
Garlic Industry
To a layman, garlic is simply a pungent bulb widely used in cookery.
Under the Philippine Medium-Term Agricultural Development Plan (MTADP)
1993-1998, garlic is a key commercial crop suitable to specific area
that poses comparative advantage and opens opportunities in the export
market. (October 1996)
Mango
Industry
Philippines is the world's seventh leading mango producer. It can take
advantage of the lower tariff in the export market. Japan will reduce
its tariff on fresh and dried mangoes from 6% to 3% and will offer GSP
privileges that will allow Philippine mangoes to enter Japan duty-free
under the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT). (May 1995)
Mungbean Industry
Mungbean (Vigna radiata Wilczek) is widely grown in the
Philippines. It receives focus and support as one of the commercial
crops under the Department of Agriculture's (DA's) Key Commercial Crop
Development Program (KCCDP) and the Department of Science and
Technology's (DOST's) Science and Technology Agenda for National
Development (STAND). (August 1995)
Onion
Industry
Onion (bulb) is a priority commercial crop that can generate
progressive and viable markets for the country. (July 1995)
Ornamental Horticulture
Industry
The ornamental horticulture industry in the Philippines started as a
backyard operation among orchid and other plant enthusiasts and
evolved into a regular profitable business operation for many
investors. The expansion of various industries such as real estate
developments for housing; recreation areas like resorts and golf
courses; service centers like banks, hotels, restaurants and churches;
together with the increasing demand of neighboring countries for
ornamental products spurred further the growth of the industry.
Growers, however, are still not able to satisfy the demands of the
export market as they cannot meet the necessary volume and certain
standards of quality requirements of the foreign market. (July 2000)
Papaya Industry
The Philippines ranks eighth in world's papaya production. It can take
advantage of the lower tariff in export market and the expanding world
market for fresh/processed tropical fruits under the General Agreement
on Tariffs and Trade (GATT). (October 1996)
Peanut Industry
Peanut (Arachis hypogea L.) is a dry season crop. Garden-type
of planting during wet season is mainly devoted for seed purposes. It
is considered a key commercial crop under the Department of
Agriculture's (DA's) Key Production Area (KPA) approach to crop
production. (January 1996)
Pili
Industry
Pili (Canarium ovatum Engl.) is one of the fruit trees
indigenous to the Philippines that has a great potential for
development as a major export crop. With the proposed reduction of
tariff rates under the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT),
the pili nut and its processed products can have greater access in the
export market. However, the declining trend in the hectarage of pili
and the indiscriminate cutting down of old but still productive pili
trees for fuel and other purposes have threatened the sustainability
of pili production and the competitiveness of the pili industry both
on local and export markets.
(June 1995)
Pineapple Industry
The Philippines is one of the top pineapple-exporting countries in the
world. The industry is favorably affected by the General Agreement on
Tariffs and Trade (GATT). The reduction of tariff will have a large
effect in the country's pineapple industry. (October 1996)
Potato Industry
The Philippines is not different among 130 countries which grow
potatoes. Reports reveal that a potato crop produces more edible
energy and protein per hectare and per unit of time than practically
any other crop. (May 1995)
Rice
Industry
The General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT) recognizes food
security concerns. Developing countries like the Philippines have been
allowed the flexibility of retaining quantitative restrictions for
staples. The Philippines chose to avail of this privilege. hence
import restrictions on rice will remain in place for the next ten
years. Rice is grown in 3.2 million hectares. Of this area, half is
irrigated. Rice accounts for more than 20% of the total value of crop
production in agriculture, contributing an average of 17% to
agriculture's GVA. (May 1995)
Rubber Industry
Under the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT), the rubber
industry opens an avenue for the country to maximize its gain in
trading arrangement given the universal pricing system and quality
testing strategy.
Sugarcane Industry
Sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum L.) produces sugar when
milled. Sugar is a wholesome natural food composed of sucrose and is
primarily used as an intermediate in the chemical industry and as a
condiment. Aside from raw and refined sugar, it may be in the form of
“panocha” and muscovado which are produced through the crude milling
process.
Sweetpotato Industry
Developments in the sweetpotato research and development (R&D), have
transformed the crop from a lowly subsistence staple food to an
important commercial crop with multiple uses as complementary
vegetable and snack food, ingredient for feed formulation and other
diversified industrial products.
Tomato Industry
Tomato is a fruit that is used as a vegetable. It is a tropical plant
but often does not grow well under such conditions. A rich source of
Vitamin C, tomato is popular cash crop for small farmers and home
gardeners. (June 1995)
Ubi
Industry
Recently, the commercial potential of ubi (Dioscorea alata
Linn.) has been recognized in the country despite its being a minor
commodity. Ubi is a promising and high-value crop because of its
growing demand in the industrial food sector in both local and
international markets.
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