The Philippines' push to conclude new trade agreements with the European Union (EU), Canada, Japan and Chile is expected to widen market access for the country's agricultural exporters, as the government works to raise the sector's share of total exports, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) said Thursday. Free trade agreements of this kind generally give goods from member economies preferential tariff treatment and clearer trading rules — the access that shapes how easily farm products can enter foreign markets.

Trade Secretary Maria Cristina A. Roque said agriculture could grow into one of the Philippines' major export sectors, a ranking currently held by semiconductors, electronics, minerals and automotive parts. Raising agriculture's share would broaden an export base now anchored in those four sectors.

Her remarks come as the country's leading agricultural exports continue to expand and new commodities such as ube, calamansi and bamboo emerge, with the pending agreements seen further broadening their reach in international markets. Fresh produce, in particular, must clear each destination market's sanitary and phytosanitary requirements, which exporters face market by market.

"So we will continue to find a market not just for the products that are bottled or products that are processed, but also fresh products in the global market," Ms. Roque said during the opening ceremony of the 2026 National Exporters' Fair at the SMX Convention Center Manila in Pasay City.

"Under the leadership of President Ferdinand Marcos, he will go down in history as the president with the most FTAs (Free Trade Agreements), at 23. These are FTAs in very important countries of the world," she added.

According to Ms. Roque, the free trade agreement with the EU has already been "substantially concluded," with the European Commission saying in September that the deal is targeted for signing in 2027. The Philippines is also expected to sign an FTA with Chile on Nov. 19, while negotiations for a new trade agreement with Canada and a review of the country's existing agreement with Japan are ongoing.

"We continue to look for other avenues to sell our products globally," she said. "Philippine products are now ready for the global market."

Ms. Roque also reported that the Philippines completed its first-ever commercial shipment of one metric ton of fresh mangoes to Toronto, Canada, in June, alongside shipments of 250 cartons to Vancouver and 150 kilograms to Brussels.

— Edg Adrian A. Eva