Philippines regains No. 2 banana exporter spot

The Philippines reclaimed its position as the world’s second-largest banana exporter in 2025 after shipments climbed to 2.925 million metric tons, a 26% year-on-year increase, according to preliminary data from the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization.

The rebound allowed the country to overtake Colombia and widen its lead over Costa Rica and Guatemala, the Department of Trade and Industry said, citing the FAO’s preliminary figures.

The latest export volume restored the Philippines’ 2020 ranking and reversed the slide from 2021 to 2024 as the sector recovered from disruptions tied to pest infestations and adverse weather that constrained production and trade, the DTI said.

Department of Trade and Industry Secretary Cristina A. Roque said the renewed global standing reflects both the resilience of the industry and the impact of sustained government policy support under President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s administration.

“Reclaiming second place globally underscores the resilience of our farmers and the strength of our trade strategy. With this, the DTI remains committed to sustaining this momentum through industry upgrading, investment promotion, and deeper integration into global value chains to strengthen the sector’s long-term competitiveness. Through our different programs, we continue to support the banana industry alongside other agricultural products to make them export-ready,” she added.

The DTI pointed to the strategic use of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership and the Philippines–South Korea free trade agreement as critical pillars, saying these deals lowered or eliminated tariffs and helped Philippine bananas compete more strongly in key Asian markets.

In South Korea, for example, officials have said the tariff rate on Philippine bananas will be reduced to zero over five years under the bilateral trade pact, from a baseline tariff of 30%.

Roque said the DTI is aggressively replicating this approach for other high-value crops, including mangoes and ube, by expanding support that helps producers take advantage of trade preferences.

The DTI’s Export Marketing Bureau is conducting “Doing Business in Free Trade Areas” seminars to help farmers use Certificates of Origin for zero-tariff entries, the agency said.

The EMB has also expanded support through Export-Oriented Enterprise certifications for qualified banana exporters, which the DTI said can help firms source key inputs at more competitive prices, lowering costs while improving product quality.

The DTI said the EOE certifications are intended to position Philippine bananas more competitively in the global market and reinforce the industry’s capacity to sustain its export rebound.

Bananas are among the Philippines’ major agricultural exports and a key livelihood source in rural communities, particularly in Mindanao, where much of the export supply is produced and shipped.

Globally, Ecuador remains the top banana exporter, and industry watchers often track shifts among the next-largest suppliers—including the Philippines and Colombia—because changes can signal evolving farm conditions, trade access, and logistics costs.

The DTI said the sector’s renewed global standing carries significant economic impact because the banana industry remains a major source of rural employment and foreign exchange earnings.

By restoring competitiveness on the world stage, the agency said the Philippines strengthens rural livelihoods and reinforces the country’s credibility as a reliable agricultural exporter.