Japan Berry insights

Japanese strawberries are set to be available in the Philippines soon as the two countries have reached an agreement to lift the ban of the export of the fruit into the country, according to Japanese Ambassador to Manila Endo Kazuya.  

Press Release The Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries has reached an agreement with the Philippine quarantine authorities on quarantine conditions for the export of fresh strawberries from Japan, and we are pleased to announce that the export ban on fresh strawberries to the Philippines will be lifted on December 15th of this year. 1. Overview The Philippines has previously prohibited the import of fresh strawberries from Japan due to the occurrence of pests such as Drosophila suzukii in Japan. In response to requests from producers, the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries has held technical discussions with the Philippine quarantine authorities to enable the export of fresh strawberries, and has now agreed on quarantine conditions for the export of fresh strawberries from Japan. From now on, it will be possible to export fresh strawberries from Japan that meet the following quarantine conditions. Please see the attached document for details. [Main quarantine conditions] (1) Registration of production facilities and sorting and packaging facilities (2) Investigation of the occurrence of pests such as Drosophila suzukii at production facilities (3) Pesticide residue testing and microbial testing before export (4) Inspection by Philippine inspectors 2. Reference If you are considering exporting to the Philippines, please contact the following. (Plant quarantine conditions) Nearest Plant Protection Station https://www.maff.go.jp/pps/j/guidance/outline/index.html (Pesticide residue testing and microbial testing) Horticultural Crops Division, Agricultural Products Bureau, Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries https://www.maff.go.jp/j/seisan/ryutu/fruits/f_yusyutu/index.html 3. Attached materials Outline of export quarantine conditions for fresh strawberries from Japan bound for the Philippines (PDF: 377KB)Food hygiene management measures required at strawberry production facilities for the Philippines (PDF: 421KB)Press release (PDF: 470KB)

Blueberries, sought after by the world for their antioxidant properties, are following in the footsteps of cherries and are gaining ground against Peru. Despite all the adversities caused by weather systems, Julia Pinto, Technical Manager of the Blueberry Committee, confirms that they are already exporting this season to Japan and Korea, and then continuing southwards, and asserts that the sector has great opportunities if they do things right, which is why they will hold a technical workshop in La Unión, Los Ríos Region, preparing to compete. But they are also concerned about the new varieties, and which ones to replace, which will be analysed at the Technical Workshop that is being prepared for October 18. The Technical Day “Harvest strategies to mitigate the impact of extreme weather events and ensure post-harvest success” will be on Friday, October 18, 2024, 8:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., Restaurant Mi Perú Andino, Ruta T71 km 1, Cruce Los Tambores, La Unión. The speakers will be: Gia