PHL fresh fruit imports seen rising 25% this year

FRESH FRUIT shipments to the Philippines are expected to climb by 25% this year even as the United States’ exports to the country are likely to decline, according to the US Department of Agriculture (USDA).

- Vonn Andrei E. Villamiel

The USDA said in a Nov. 25 reportthat global exports of fresh fruit to the Philippines are projected to increase by 25% after growing by 3% year on year to $321 million in 2024.

“Fresh fruit shipments to the Philippines have shown strong growth in 2025, increasing by 20% through August,” it said.

“The overall demand for imported agricultural and related products is driven by a young and growing population, rising incomes, and the Philippines’ reliance on imports to meet domestic food needs.”

It said the country’s population could reach 164 million by year-end and is expected to grow by more than 1 million annually, which would help drive demand for food products.

Despite this, fresh fruit exports from the US to the Philip-