by Prix D Banzon

Davao City (25 May) -- While the government is bent on opening up access to international markets Agriculture Secretary Arthur Yap stressed that "when we open up new markets we have enough volume to supply".

Yap told Davao reporters on Wednesday that new markets can be accessed easily with the huge demand of agricultural products.

He said it is worthy to note that of the 80 million metric tons of bananas in the world market, 70 million comes from the Philippines.

He also said that 50 percent of mangoes in Japan comes from the Philippines although he said that the Japan market has the most stringent policies in terms of food and agri products.

Yap said that the Asian market like China and Korea have very big demand as well and these areas are better options to consider with less stringent policies and proximity to our country.

As far as meat products are concerned he said exporters of premium cut hog are already into their trial shipment.

The "meat in a box" product is one possible export commodity and what is good about it is that the Philippines can also supply such product internationally.

However, he stressed the need for would be exporters to follow strictly international standards because traces of the kind of feeds given to hogs including antibiotics and others has to be checked.

He said the government do not want to supply product that may do harm to people that's why thorough screening and assessment has to be done.