As the operations of Altertrade Philippines, Inc., Northern Luzon continue after its halt due to the Super Typhoon Pepito last November 2024, the Department of Agriculture Regional Field Office No. 02 through its High Value Crops Development Program, along with other constituents within the banana industry, is hopeful that trade initiatives shall continue to prosper, tied to the increase of export boxes to Korea and Japan at a weekly basis.

𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐁𝐚𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐨𝐧 𝐕𝐚𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐭𝐲

The Balangon is a variety of banana cultivated by small farmers in seven (7) areas in the Philippines — Negros, Northern Mindanao, Bohol, Makilala, Tupi, Lake Sebu, and Nueva Vizcaya. It was initially introduced to Japanese consumers’ cooperatives and in 2016, Korea has joined Balangon’s export market through regular people-to-people relationship.

Currently, Altertrade reports that in Nueva Vizcaya, 162 boxes (where 1 box is equal to 13.5 kilograms) are exported to Korea per week. These Balangon bananas are sourced from Kongkong, Kasibu and Malabing, Kasibu.

𝐖𝐚𝐲𝐬 𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐝

Despite having productive operations at the moment, Juliet Wasit, Manager of Altertrade Philippines Inc. Northern Luzon mentions that there is a need to strengthen efforts to reach the export target of 324 boxes every other week.

In line with the banana trade, Department of Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. recognizes that the banana industry sustains local economies of many provinces within the country and actively calls for lower Japanese tariffs on PH banana exports.

In fact, the Philippines has paid 18% Japanese tariffs on exported bananas from April 2024 to September 2024 whereas through the Japan-Philippines Economic Partnership Agreement (JPEPA), it was significantly lowered to 8% from October 2024 to March 2025.

To answer the call of Undersecretary Cheryl Marie Natividad-Caballero, Regional Executive Director Rose Mary G. Aquino assures that the Department of Agriculture Region 02 continuously works towards boosting the production, processing, and marketing of the Balangon.

In a consultation dated March 27, 2025, Director Aquino has instructed to identify areas within Cagayan Valley that are least affected by typhoons for the expansion of banana production through mapping. It has been further mentioned that the backyard expansion can be made in the areas of Burgos and Ilagan, Isabela, as well as Aurora. HVCDP Focal Person Carol P. Albay assured Director Aquino that fertilizers will be effectively distributed to local farmers, and irrigation shall be provided for by the Department of Agriculture as part of production support services.

In terms of packaging to export of the bananas produced, Manager Wasit shared that they will continue supporting banana growers in Nueva Vizcaya and shall foster banana industry expansion within the region. Reden Velarde, OIC-Regional Manager of BPI Region 02 PQS Cagayan, affirms that their office shall advance the export of Balangon bananas and guarantees to take part in more effective quality assurance and control of the commodities.

The Department of Agriculture, in partnership with Altertrade Philippines Inc., vows to strengthen and develop the banana industry by supporting farming practices, enhancing export quality standards, and expanding access to international markets.

Story and photos via Engr. Ezra Jasmine P. Maramag