Manila, June 11 -- The Philippines is seeking to expand agricultural trade with Egypt in line with the directives of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., the Department of Agriculture (DA) said on Wednesday.

"They already granted us access for durian. We are hopeful they will do the same for our mangoes and bananas," Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. said in a statement.

In exchange, the DA bared plans to allow the entry of grapes and ware potatoes; as well as garlic and onion-sourcing from Egypt, alongside information sharing and technical assistance.

The pest risk assessment (PRA) for both Egyptian grapes and ware potatoes, however, is still being finalized, the DA said.

The said plans came after Tiu Laurel met with Egypt...