The Department of Agriculture (DA) seeks stronger trade ties with Thailand to attract investments while gaining insights into best farming practices, product development and supply chain management.
DA Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. learned of the Philippines’ potential as a food hub during a meeting with executives of Charoen Pokphand Foods PLC (CPF).
CPF announced plans to establish a food processing facility and distribution network in the country within three years.
The DA delegation visited CPF’s Nong Chok factory, which processes 70,000 metric tons of food products for export, and toured CPF’s Makro, a major wholesale retailer.
Tiu Laurel told his Thai counterpart that the Philippines is open to sourcing more rice, vegetables, poultry and pork from Thailand.
Agriculture and Cooperatives Minister Narumon Pinyosinwat expressed interest in exporting longan and poultry meat to the Philippines, while Tiu Laurel pushed for the export of Hass avocados and processed meat to Thailand.
