Iran offered to export its apples to the Philippines, the Agriculture Department said Monday.
Iran Ambassador to the Philippines Mohammad Tanhaei recently met with Agriculture Secretary Emmanuel Piñol to discuss the request of the Iran government.
Piñol said as a part of standard procedures, the Agriculture Department was finalizing the pest risk analysis of apple fruit samples from Iran.
“I’m still waiting for the results, and if everything turns out okay, rest assured that [the document on] importation of apples is ready for signing,” Piñol said.
Piñol said he was hoping for possible ventures, noting Iran’s huge market for tropical fruits, particularly banana and pineapple. He asked the Tehran government to reduce the 24-percent tariff on Philippines bananas.
He said the agency was willing to assist Iranian companies interested in business ventures.