Manila, Sept. 10 -- The Philippines remains optimistic about advancing "sustainable" agricultural trade and strengthening its partnership with Cambodia to ensure food security and supply resilience, the Department of Agriculture (DA) said Wednesday.

The statement followed a bilateral meeting between Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. and Cambodian Minister of Agriculture, Forestry, and Fisheries Dith Tina on Sept. 9, held on the sidelines of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.'s state visit to Cambodia.

Tiu Laurel said Cambodian agricultural exports could help meet the Philippines' market demands amid the country's "expanding population."

Among these key agricultural export goods are rice, fish, meat, and vegetables.

"This b...