Thailand’s Jasmine Rice Strategy Meets the Philippines’ Food Security Imperatives

In August 2026, Thailand’s Ministry of Commerce aimed to enhance its agricultural export strategy, particularly rice, by collaborating with the Thai Rice Exporters Association to engage stakeholders in the Philippines, the top rice importer. With significant export increases and shifting consumer preferences for premium rice, Thailand seeks to secure and expand its market share, despite fierce competition.

US Crab Ban Threatens Philippines’ ₱7-Billion Industry & Thousands of Jobs

The United States has banned imports of Philippine blue swimming crab meat due to non-compliance with the Marine Mammal Protection Act. This ban could cost the local industry ₱6 to ₱7 billion annually and displace thousands of workers. Alternative markets cannot compensate for the lost exports, causing financial strain on fishermen and processors.

First IKEA in Cebu, Philippines at Gatewalk Mall This December

Ayala Land Inc. will launch Ayala Malls Gatewalk in Mandaue City this December, featuring the region’s first IKEA store. This 56,000-square-meter complex will combine shopping, dining, and entertainment, enhancing Cebu’s retail landscape and supporting regional growth. It aims to create a new retail experience connected to a public transport hub.

San Miguel Corporation Targets 2028 Completion of New Manila International Airport Runway

San Miguel Corporation (SMC) has reaffirmed its commitment to delivering one of the Philippines’ most ambitious infrastructure projects—the New Manila International Airport (NMIA) in Bulacan. During the company’s annual stockholders’ meeting, SMC Chairman and CEO Ramon Ang announced that construction of the airport’s first runway remains firmly on track for completion by 2028, with the…