Browse Data and Analysis

Recent developments in cross-border e-commerce expanded Filipino consumers’ access to imported food and beverage products, rising from zero in 2019 to almost $1 million in purchases in 2022.

The Philippines is an emerging market for halal products due to its growing Muslim population.

This report outlines the Philippine government requirements for the importation of corn. It also provides points of contact for key Philippine government authorities.

On June 30, 2023, the Department of Trade and Investment-Board of Investments (DTI-BOI) issued Memorandum Circular (MC) No. 2023-004 or the “Guidelines on the Availment of Duty Exemption/Value-Added Tax and Customs Duty Exemption on Importation of Capital Equipment, Raw Materials, Spare Parts and Accessories under the Corporate Recovery and Tax Incentives for Enterprises (CREATE) Law."

The Philippines is a regional biotechnology leader and the first country in the world to approve Golden Rice for commercial propagation. The Bt Eggplant biosafety permit was signed on October 17, 2022, allowing commercial propagation. Planting of Golden Rice has started since its approval in 2021, while Bt corn acceptance has grown with more than 600,000 hectares planted in 2021.

FY2022 agricultural exports reach record levels.

On October 18, 2022, The Government of the Philippines marked Bt eggplant as its third genetically engineered crop approved for commercial propagation, following Bt corn and Golden Rice.

Prospects for U.S. brewing ingredients remain strong amidst a robust local beer manufacturing industry. Beer is the most widely consumed alcoholic beverage in the Philippines, accounting for 72 percent of total alcohol consumption or 2.1 billion liters annually. Export prospects in the region are especially strong because of the country’s membership in various free trade agreements and its strategic location.