BIG COMEBACK The Philippines returns to Asia Fruit Logistica in Hong Kong after almost a decade.
MANILA, Philippines — After almost a decade of absence, the Philippines staged a remarkable comeback at Asia Fruit Logistica, securing more than $290 million in sales for agricultural products at Asia’s leading fresh produce trade show.
The Philippine delegation participated in the trade show, held at AsiaWorld-Expo in Hong Kong, from Sept. 2 to 4.
READ: PH eyes duty-free banana exports to Japan
Article continues after this advertisement
Cavendish and Cardava bananas, fresh durian, fresh and frozen mangoes, dragon fruit, pomelo and other high-value export crops were showcased during the event.
“The participation is aimed at opening more overseas markets for Philippine high-value export crops, building commercial partnerships, and gathering market intelligence that can help exporters meet international demand and standards,” the Department of Agriculture (DA) says.
The DA says the country’s return to the event will enhance export competitiveness by helping producers align with international grading and quality standards, strengthen market intelligence and deepen public-private cooperation.
Windfall
The Philippines generated $290.71 million in sales at Asia Fruit Logistica. Of this amount, $222.75 million were booked sales, while the remaining $70.39 million is still under negotiation.
Among the commodities, durian recorded the highest sales with $275.01 million, followed by Cavendish banana with $11 million and Cardava banana with $3.5 million.
Article continues after this advertisement
Dragon fruit sales totaled $1.02 million, while mango sales amounted to $170,800.
The Philippines generated $290.71 million in sales at Asia Fruit Logistica. Durian alone sold $275.01 million, followed by Cavendish banana with $11 million and Cardava banana with $3.5 million. —PHOTOS FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
“Our efforts are now bearing fruits, resulting in higher income for our farmers, especially those cultivating high-value crops,” Agriculture Assistant Secretary Arnel de Mesa says in a press briefing.
Article continues after this advertisement
De Mesa, also the DA’s spokesperson, notes that Agriculture Undersecretary Philip Young has been “very active” in promoting agricultural commodities, particularly tropical fruits, to the global market in partnership with private companies.
Key agricultural groups promoted their respective produce at the event. The Pilipino Banana Growers and Exporters Association and the Philippines Banana Council Inc. exhibited Cavendish bananas, while the Durian Exporters Association of the Philippines Inc. showcased fresh durian.
The National Mango Farmers and Stakeholders Federation Inc. featured fresh and frozen mangoes, while the Philippine Dragon Fruit Growers Association promoted fresh dragon fruit.
Young says the trade show aims to translate product showcases into concrete business opportunities, positioning local farm produce at the forefront of international trade.
“We are participating not merely to exhibit but to forge durable global partnerships, secure vital market shares, and showcase the unmatched quality of our high-value export crops,” Young says.
The Philippine delegation is next heading to Rome, Italy to promote agricultural goods at the Hand-in-Hand (HIH) Initiative Investment Forum from Oct. 13 to 16.
De Mesa says the delegation will pitch mangoes, seaweeds, coffee and cacao during the event, which will be held at the headquarters of the United Nations’ Food and Agriculture Organization.
Agricultural trade deficit
The country’s participation in Asia Fruit Logistica comes at a time when the government is targeting to reduce agricultural deficit through increased exports.
“We cannot afford to remain a country with an annual agricultural trade deficit of around $11 billion. That is a huge amount of resources that could otherwise support investments in agriculture, including irrigation,” Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. says.
READ: Philippines aims to export mangoes, pineapples to America
In 2025, the agricultural goods trade deficit stood at $11.12 billion. It decreased by 5 percent and marked the lowest shortfall since 2021.
This year, in the month of July alone, the farm trade deficit stood at $1.19 billion, up 23.7 percent, according to the Philippine Statistics Authority. This was the highest since March this year, at $1.26 billion.
“Opening more overseas markets is not just about increasing exports. It is about giving our farmers bigger, more reliable markets, raising the value of their products and bringing more income to rural communities,” Tiu Laurel says. INQ
