China has lifted its ban on the import of bananas from the Philippines.

Chinese Ambassador Zhao Jianhua said during his courtesy call at the Department of Agriculture that the country is now accepting bananas and pineapples from Philippine-based exporters.

"We very much appreciate the action of the Chinese government as this will relieve our banana farmers from the serious problem during the suspension considering that China is a huge market for our banana industry," Emmanuel Piñol told the Philippine Star.

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Last March, China destroyed at least 35 tons of bananas worth $33,000 from the Philippines, after China's Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection, and Quarantine issued the notification of non-compliance.

The exported products shipped by NKM Import/Export Inc. to Dalian Kawoo Import and Export Co. Ltd. were reportedly infected with the pest Dysmicoccus neobrevipes. And Sumifru's shipment to Shenzhen Everglory Trading Co. allegedly has a carbendazim level of 0.199 mg/kg, in excess of the maximum residue level of 0.1 mg/kg.

The ban was lifted after an inspection team from China arrived in the Philippines last month to assess the corrective measures done. The regulator suspended 27 exporters and 10 had taken corrective actions.

Meanwhile, the Department of Agriculture revealed that Zhao also expressed an interest to "increase Philippine exports to China" and for produce to be sold in major cities, the Business World Online reported.

China is interested in commercial crops like bananas, pineapples, mangoes, coconuts, dragon fruits, to name a few and high-end fishery products such as grouper, crab, shrimp, prawn and tuna.

Tagschina, Philippines, import, export, agricultural products, Philippine Bananas