The Government of Canada has secured access to the Philippine market for fresh blueberries produced in the province of British Columbia, in a move aimed at diversifying export destinations for the sector and strengthening its presence in the Asia-Pacific region.
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) announced the measure following the successful conclusion of phytosanitary negotiations with Philippine authorities.
According to the agency, growers and packing houses wishing to export must be registered with the CFIA and obtain a phytosanitary certificate. In addition, each shipment must comply with the Philippines’ plant health requirements, including official inspections certifying that the fruit is free from soil and pests, as well as the use of new or clean packaging.
Market access will begin with a pilot program in 2026, initially involving one selected production site and one registered packing house. Full implementation is expected in 2027, when all registered production sites and packing houses in British Columbia will be eligible to export fresh blueberries to the Philippines.
Authorities emphasized that the new market access is part of Canada’s strategy to expand and diversify its international export markets, a key government priority. According to official figures, Canada exported more than US$695 million worth of blueberries in 2024, with the fruit accounting for nearly two-thirds of the country’s total fruit export value.
Sudeshna Nambiar, Executive Director of the British Columbia Blueberry Council, described the market opening as “a significant achievement” for the industry, noting that it will provide access to one of Asia’s fastest-growing consumer markets while creating new business opportunities for blueberry growers.
