Us farms looking to export more products to PH
WASHINGTON—American farm exports to the Philippines are poised for further growth amid intensifying global competition and Washington’s ongoing trade deal reviews, according to an industry group.
“We’re hopeful to see growth … especially the Philippines represents a growing market,” American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) Senior Director of Government Affairs Virginia Houston said without providing specific estimates.
“We are hopeful to see growth in the Philippines and also the rest of Southeast Asia,” Houston said in a press briefing here.
Growing competition
Despite the export growth optimism, Houston said Washington is facing increasing competition from other exporting countries.
“But … there is also a growing competition for other agricultural exporters, not only China but also Australia and Brazil because it’s very central right there to get to Southeast Asia,” Houston said.
In a separate interview, US Department of Agriculture (USDA) Undersecretary for Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs Luke Lindberg acknowledged the stiffer competition with Brazil in key markets, but he pointed out that Washington produces high-quality farm products.
“The way that we view our interaction with Brazil is very much one where we compete in a lot of markets, and we understand that,” Lindberg said, noting that Brazilian producers have the advantage of double cropping annually.
Lindberg also said the quality and cleanliness of American farm goods being shipped abroad “is second to none around the world, including Brazil.”
“If you are looking for high-quality products that blend easily into your markets or are ready to feed to your livestock, the United States is typically the preferred provider of those kinds of commodities and products,” he added.
Export market
According to the US Department of Agriculture (USDA), the Philippines ranks as the 10th largest agricultural export market for US farm products. In 2022, the highest agricultural export value recorded was $4.04 billion.
In 2025, the US exported $3.41 billion worth of farm products to the Philippines, slightly lower than $3.47 billion in 2024.
Soybean meal is the top agricultural export product, amounting to $1.01 billion. It is equivalent to almost 30 percent of the overall value.
Wheat came second with $630.15 million, followed by dairy products ($366.32 million), poultry meat and products (excluding eggs, $250.09 million), and ethanol ($192.06 million).
Regulatory alignment
Houston said addressing “non-trade irritants” and streamlining regulations could unlock farm export growth in the long run.
In particular, the group called for a regulatory alignment, explaining that certifications issued by a competent authority should automatically be accepted in the country of destination.
“If a shipment is certified by USDA, the same agency in the country of import would accept the certification,” Houston said.
“Addressing some of those non-trade irritants will also help trade grow,” she added.
