Japanese strawberries have entered the Philippine market following the removal of an import restriction in December 2024, as announced by the Embassy of Japan. This development results from negotiations between Japan's Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, and Fisheries and the Philippine quarantine authorities, facilitating the import of Japanese strawberries and related products.
The strawberries are now available at Mitsukoshi Mall located in Bonifacio Global City. The previous import ban was lifted on 15 December 2024, after extensive technical discussions addressing pest concerns. These discussions were initiated due to requests from Japanese strawberry production areas.
In an effort to promote the fruit, Japanese Ambassador to the Philippines Endo Kazuya participated in a promotional campaign organized by the Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO) Manila. A series of videos highlighting the appeal of Japanese strawberries has been released on JETRO Manila's Facebook page and other official channels.
JETRO Manila described Japanese strawberries as "a masterpiece of craftsmanship and nature," emphasizing their nutritional benefits and quality. The Embassy of Japan also shared this development on its official Facebook and X pages, encouraging Filipinos to experience the addition to the local market.
Source: Daily Tribune