THE PHILIPPINE delegation secured $17.5 million in total export sales at Asia Fruit Logistica (AFL) 2026 in Hong Kong in September this year, the Department of Agriculture (DA) said.
“Every new export market we open is another opportunity for Filipino farmers and agribusinesses to compete on the world stage,” Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. said.
“Our goal is not simply to sell more Philippine produce, but to build lasting partnerships, meet the exacting standards of international buyers, and ensure that the benefits of export growth reach the people who grow our food,” he added. “The world is ready to discover more of what the Philippines can offer, and we intend to make that opportunity count.”
The Philippine delegation, composed of local fruit producers and growers, marked the country’s return to the trade show after nearly a decade.
The DA said the booked and negotiated sales came from cavendish and cardava (saba) bananas, durian, mangoes, and dragon fruit.
“The impressive outcome of our sales projections proves that Philippine high-value export crops remain among the most sought-after produce in international markets,” said Philip Young, undersecretary for high-value export crops and agri-fishery export development and promotion.
Through coordinated efforts with private-sector partners and industry associations, the delegation secured long-term commercial agreements and established opportunities for local farmers and exporters to expand their presence in global markets, Young added.
The Philippines ended 2025 with a narrower agricultural trade deficit, as farm exports — led by tropical fruits — increased while imports softened.
The DA said edible fruits and nuts, including citrus fruit and melon peels, accounted for $329.72 million, or 37% of the country’s total agricultural exports. (GMA News)
