MANILA: The Iranian Ambassador to the Philippines is optimistic that export of fresh bananas to Iran will increase now that its market is again open because of the lifting of trade restrictions imposed by the United Nations.
Ambassador Ali Asghar Mohammadi, during his recent meeting with members of the Pilipino Banana Growers and Exporters Association (PBGEA), said now is the right time for the Philippines to do business in Iran.
“Iran is a big country. It is five times the size of the Philippines and has 15 neighbor countries, this is a huge opportunity for the Philippines,” Mohammadi added.
The Philippines has been exporting fresh bananas to Iran for almost two decades.
In 2008, the export of fresh bananas was as high as 510,642 metric tons but, because of the UN’s trade restrictions over Iran’s nuclear activities, it went down to as low as 148,892 metric tons in 2014.
PBGEA executive director Stephen Antig said Iran continues to be one of the most important foreign markets of fresh Philippine bananas of the Cavendish variety.
“In fact, despite the difficulties encountered by banana exporters brought about by the economic and financial sanctions imposed by the UN of which we are grateful now that they are lifted, Iran continues to be one of our best destinations,” Antig added.
PBGEA president Alexander said “a trade mission is good and we should organize one soon.”
Mohammadi, however, said the situation is changing and that both countries need to deepen the trade relationship by studying how to further improve trade deals.
“We want an open international market. We can’t supply our own market. Iran is a demanding market because we always import. Iranians demand bananas,” he added.
“The food industry is always in demand. The tourists have also been coming to Iran. Last year, we had 7 million tourists and we are targeting 25 million in 2020. The tourists are a good market for fruits,” the ambassador said.
Iran has a population of over 77 million as of 2014.
Besides Iran, the Philippine fresh bananas are also exported to the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain, Japan, China, South Korea, Hong Kong, Singapore, Russia, New Zealand, Mongolia, Ukraine, Turkey, Iraq, Egypt, Brunei Darussalam, Malaysia, Thailand and Indonesia.
Banana is one of the country’s best agricultural products, second only to coconut oil.
The Philippines is the second-largest banana exporter in the world, making the banana industry a consistent top dollar earner.
