The Philippines and Cambodia are exploring opportunities for increased cooperation on rice trade and other agricultural initiatives, following the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MOU) on agricultural and agribusiness cooperation.
The MOU was signed on Feb. 11, 2025 by Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. and Cambodia’s Minister for Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Dith Tina, in the presence of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and Prime Minister Hun Manet at Malacañang.
An important focus of the partnership is enhancing rice trade between the two nations.
Tina invited the Philippines to invest in Cambodia’s expanding rice production sector, particularly in establishing rice milling facilities.
Tiu Laurel said the Philippine government is open to the proposal, highlighting the role of the Department of Agriculture’s (DA) Food Terminal Inc. in facilitating such investments.
“Cambodia is poised to become a key agricultural trading partner as it diversifies its markets, particularly for rice,” Tiu Laurel said.
Bilateral trade between the Philippines and Cambodia totaled $80.5 million in 2023, with agricultural products accounting for $20.4 million. Despite this, the Philippines currently faces a trade deficit with Cambodia, according to data from the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA).
The MOU also outlines further collaboration in agricultural planning, animal feed development, animal health protection, irrigation management, and agricultural marketing systems.
Both nations are also exploring the exchange of non-geographical indication-protected plant commodities to promote agricultural innovation and diversity.
The enhanced partnership is expected to promote sustainable agricultural growth, boost food security, and drive trade between the two nations.
Both countries will explore the exchange of non-geographical indication-protected plant commodities to promote agricultural diversity and innovation.
The partnership is expected to drive sustainable agricultural growth, improve food security, and foster increased trade between the two nations.