Unlocking New Export Opportunities on Philippines Trade Mission

  |   Feature
FAS Press
Administrator Whitley meets with Undersecretary of Agriculture Leo Sebastian to discuss agricultural biotechnology and its potential to help build resilience in our food systems and address climate-related production challenges.
FAS Administrator Daniel Whitley (right) met with Philippines Undersecretary of Agriculture Leo Sebastian to discuss agricultural biotechnology and its potential to help build resilient food systems and address climate-related production challenges.

Foreign Agricultural Service Administrator Daniel Whitley led a USDA trade mission to the Philippines, July 18-21. He was joined by representatives from 29 U.S. agribusinesses and farm organizations and 10 state departments of agriculture, working together to strengthen trade relationships and further expand export opportunities.

“The primary goals were to produce mutually beneficial results to help expand trade, increase collaboration on key issues impacting agriculture in both our countries, and ultimately strengthen Philippine food security,” Whitley said.  

Whitley and the delegation focused on:

  • The strong partnership between the United States and Philippines, especially during these times of uncertainty and high inflation.
  • Seeking lower tariffs for food products, which would help ease the burden of inflation and allow for people to spend money in other sectors of the economy.
  • The launch of an Emerging Markets Program-funded African Swine Fever Project to control the spread of the disease along with training provided by the USDA to officials from the Philippine Department of Agriculture to improve veterinary services to ensure safe pork and pork products.
  • Helping the agency better understand the trade barriers U.S. exporters face in the Philippine market, including dairy tariffs, product registration, and expiration date labeling.
  • An MOU signing between U.S. Grains Council and the Mariano Marcos State University to facilitate the exchange of best practices related to the biofuels industry and policy development.
  • The challenges facing the feed sector including volatile prices driven by weather, the Russian invasion of Ukraine, African swine fever, and highly pathogenic avian influenza.

“There's one word that I walked away with from this mission – reliability. We're in a very different world than we were in six months ago, and certainly five years ago. The number one criterion that I see everywhere I go to is trading partners looking for a reliable supplier. Consumers abroad view American agriculture to be the most reliable in the world. Our outstanding quality and our efforts to embrace the challenge to produce commodities that are more sustainable ensure Filipino consumers want our world-class ag and food products. We were excited to introduce all our talented suppliers and exporters to some of the world's finest buyers in the Philippines,” Whitley said.

The young and fast-growing population of the Philippines provides the potential for a boost in exports. U.S. agricultural exports to the Philippines averaged $3.1 billion annually during the last five years. In 2021, U.S. farm exports to the country hit a record $3.5 billion, increasing from $3.2 billion a year earlier. Recently, USDA projected that the Philippines will purchase about $3.8 billion worth of American agricultural products this year, an increase of 8 percent.

International trade missions are integral to FAS’s international marketing efforts, offering U.S. exporters a unique opportunity to build in-person relationships with potential buyers, learn first-hand about the market from industry and FAS trade experts, and ultimately generate sales for their businesses. Participants in the Philippines trade mission reported nearly $1 million in on-site sales and $7.25 million in projected 12-month sales as a result of their travel.

Philippines Trade Mission

The USDA trade delegation included representatives from 10 state departments of agriculture and 29 businesses and agricultural organizations. Here they are at the Manila American Cemetery.
The USDA trade mission delegation to the Philippines included representatives from 10 state departments of agriculture and 29 U.S. businesses and agricultural organizations. Here they are at the Manila American Cemetery.
Administrator Whitley meets with Paxton and Shebel Robinson from High Desert Milk, Inc. in a Business to Business (B2B) meeting. These meetings allow agribusiness trade mission companies to meet with potential business partners and expand their presence in the market.
FAS Administrator Daniel Whitley meets with Paxton and Shebel Robinson from High Desert Milk, Inc. Business-to-business meetings during USDA trade missions allow U.S. companies to connect with potential partners and expand their presence in the export market.
Administrator Whitley witnessed the signing of an MOU between the U.S. Grains Council and Mariano Marcos State University in support of biofuels knowledge exchange & capacity building & providing a forum for solutions to the current energy crisis. Here is Administrator Whitley and the President of Mariano Marcos State University, Dr. Shirley C, Agrupis.
FAS Administrator Daniel Whitley witnessed the signing of an MOU between the U.S. Grains Council and Mariano Marcos State University in support of biofuels knowledge exchange and capacity building. He is shown here with Dr. Shirley C, Agrupis, the university's president.
Administrator Whitley got to enjoy a cup of while discussing with Rachel Fellarme, the Chief Operating Officer of Bo’s Coffee, how the Food for Progress program has supported coffee growers that now supply Bo’s with high-quality beans.
FAS Administrator Daniel Whitley enjoys a cup while meeting with Rachel Fellarme, chief operating officer of Philippines coffeehouse chain Bo’s Coffee. They discussed how USDA's Food for Progress program has supported the local coffee growers who now supply Bo’s with high-quality beans.
Administrator Whitley has lunch at Jollibee with Vice President of Public Affairs, Atty Raul Academia, and the Chief Sustainability and Public Affairs Officer, Jose A. Minana. 100% of the potatoes used by Jollibee restaurants comes from the U.S.
FAS Administrator Daniel Whitley has lunch at a local franchise of Jollibee, a popular fast food restaurant. With him are Jollibee’s Vice President of Public Affairs Atty Raul Academia and Chief Sustainability and Public Affairs Officer Jose A. Minana. All of the potatoes used by Jollibee restaurants in the Philippines come from the United States.
Administrator Whitley meets with Dr. Oscar Gutierrez of the FDA, an FAS Cochran Fellowship Program alum, to discuss U.S.-Philippine partnership on food safety, international trade, & the USDA B-SAFE project.
FAS Administrator Daniel Whitley meets with Dr. Oscar Gutierrez of the Philippines Food and Drug Administration to discuss joint efforts on food safety and international trade. Gutierrez is an alumnus of USDA's Cochran Fellowship Program.
Administrator Whitley awards certificates to the participants of the FAS-funded biotechnology training, in partnership with Iowa State University, to improve knowledge of biotech regulations and seed systems. Here is Administrator Whitley with Agriculture Attaché to the Philippines, Mark Hanzel, and Elvira Morales at the ceremony.
FAS Administrator Daniel Whitley led a ceremony recognizing Filipino participants in an FAS-funded biotechnology training conducted in partnership with Iowa State University. With him are Elvira Morales of the Philippines Plant Variety Protection Office and FAS/Manila Agricultural Attaché Mark Hanzel.
The Philippines is the largest market for American soybean meal, essential to the Filipino livestock production. La Filipina is the largest importer in Southeast Asia. Administrator Whitley is seen here with Jim Sutter, CEO of the U.S. Soy Export Council, Doug Winter, Chairman of the Board for the U.S. Soy Export Council and Morgan Haas, of FAS.
The Philippines is the largest market for American soybean meal, which is essential to local livestock production. Joining FAS Administrator Daniel Whitley at La Filipina, the largest importer in Southeast Asia, are U.S. Soybean Export Council CEO Jim Sutter and Board Chairman Doug Winter, along with FAS/Manila Agricultural Counselor Morgan Haas.
The USDA was honored to support the collaboration of the University of Minnesota and The Philippines Department of Agriculture to launch an Emerging Market Program-funded project to improve Philippine biosecurity fight the battle of African Swine Fever.
The University of Minnesota and the Philippines Department of Agriculture are collaborating to improve Philippine biosecurity and battle African Swine Fever through a project funded by FAS's Emerging Markets Program.
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The USDA trade delegation included representatives from 10 state departments of agriculture and 29 businesses and agricultural organizations. Here they are at the Manila American Cemetery.
The USDA trade mission delegation to the Philippines included representatives from 10 state departments of agriculture and 29 U.S. businesses and agricultural organizations. Here they are at the Manila American Cemetery.
Administrator Whitley meets with Paxton and Shebel Robinson from High Desert Milk, Inc. in a Business to Business (B2B) meeting. These meetings allow agribusiness trade mission companies to meet with potential business partners and expand their presence in the market.
FAS Administrator Daniel Whitley meets with Paxton and Shebel Robinson from High Desert Milk, Inc. Business-to-business meetings during USDA trade missions allow U.S. companies to connect with potential partners and expand their presence in the export market.
Administrator Whitley witnessed the signing of an MOU between the U.S. Grains Council and Mariano Marcos State University in support of biofuels knowledge exchange & capacity building & providing a forum for solutions to the current energy crisis. Here is Administrator Whitley and the President of Mariano Marcos State University, Dr. Shirley C, Agrupis.
FAS Administrator Daniel Whitley witnessed the signing of an MOU between the U.S. Grains Council and Mariano Marcos State University in support of biofuels knowledge exchange and capacity building. He is shown here with Dr. Shirley C, Agrupis, the university's president.
Administrator Whitley got to enjoy a cup of while discussing with Rachel Fellarme, the Chief Operating Officer of Bo’s Coffee, how the Food for Progress program has supported coffee growers that now supply Bo’s with high-quality beans.
FAS Administrator Daniel Whitley enjoys a cup while meeting with Rachel Fellarme, chief operating officer of Philippines coffeehouse chain Bo’s Coffee. They discussed how USDA's Food for Progress program has supported the local coffee growers who now supply Bo’s with high-quality beans.
Administrator Whitley has lunch at Jollibee with Vice President of Public Affairs, Atty Raul Academia, and the Chief Sustainability and Public Affairs Officer, Jose A. Minana. 100% of the potatoes used by Jollibee restaurants comes from the U.S.
FAS Administrator Daniel Whitley has lunch at a local franchise of Jollibee, a popular fast food restaurant. With him are Jollibee’s Vice President of Public Affairs Atty Raul Academia and Chief Sustainability and Public Affairs Officer Jose A. Minana. All of the potatoes used by Jollibee restaurants in the Philippines come from the United States.
Administrator Whitley meets with Dr. Oscar Gutierrez of the FDA, an FAS Cochran Fellowship Program alum, to discuss U.S.-Philippine partnership on food safety, international trade, & the USDA B-SAFE project.
FAS Administrator Daniel Whitley meets with Dr. Oscar Gutierrez of the Philippines Food and Drug Administration to discuss joint efforts on food safety and international trade. Gutierrez is an alumnus of USDA's Cochran Fellowship Program.
Administrator Whitley awards certificates to the participants of the FAS-funded biotechnology training, in partnership with Iowa State University, to improve knowledge of biotech regulations and seed systems. Here is Administrator Whitley with Agriculture Attaché to the Philippines, Mark Hanzel, and Elvira Morales at the ceremony.
FAS Administrator Daniel Whitley led a ceremony recognizing Filipino participants in an FAS-funded biotechnology training conducted in partnership with Iowa State University. With him are Elvira Morales of the Philippines Plant Variety Protection Office and FAS/Manila Agricultural Attaché Mark Hanzel.
The Philippines is the largest market for American soybean meal, essential to the Filipino livestock production. La Filipina is the largest importer in Southeast Asia. Administrator Whitley is seen here with Jim Sutter, CEO of the U.S. Soy Export Council, Doug Winter, Chairman of the Board for the U.S. Soy Export Council and Morgan Haas, of FAS.
The Philippines is the largest market for American soybean meal, which is essential to local livestock production. Joining FAS Administrator Daniel Whitley at La Filipina, the largest importer in Southeast Asia, are U.S. Soybean Export Council CEO Jim Sutter and Board Chairman Doug Winter, along with FAS/Manila Agricultural Counselor Morgan Haas.
The USDA was honored to support the collaboration of the University of Minnesota and The Philippines Department of Agriculture to launch an Emerging Market Program-funded project to improve Philippine biosecurity fight the battle of African Swine Fever.
The University of Minnesota and the Philippines Department of Agriculture are collaborating to improve Philippine biosecurity and battle African Swine Fever through a project funded by FAS's Emerging Markets Program.
Exporting, Trade Missions
East Asia and the Pacific, Philippines
Biofuels, Dairy, Livestock and Poultry, Processed Food Products
Emerging Markets Program (EMP)

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