Philippine ambassador to Japan asks retailers to raise prices as banana exporters battle increasing costs
The Philippine embassy has called on the Japan Retailers Association to help increase banana prices in Japan to match the rising costs faced by Philippine exporters.
According to a report from Nikkei Asia, the Philippine embassy in Tokyo said it was the first-ever time the embassy had made such a request.
The Japan Retailers Association was asked to pass the embassy’s concerns to its members with the hope Japanese consumers and retailers can help the Philippine banana industry manage the rising cost of production.
Jose C Laurel V, the ambassador to Japan, said the price of Philippine bananas in Japan had remained flat since 2015.
“The conflict between Russia and Ukraine has resulted in disruption of the supply chain and elevated increase in production and other costs,” said Laurel V.
“It will be unrealistic and unfair for Philippine banana farmers to maintain the status quo.”
Jose Laquian, the embassy’s agricultural attache, said the Philippines could make similar requests to other business groups along the banana supply chain and other markets.
