THE participating coconut farmers and coconut-based enterprises from the Davao Region in an international trade event successfully closed deals amounting to more than P16 million.
During the International Food Exposition (Ifex) 2025 held late last month at the World Trade Center Metro Manila, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) 11 facilitated the participation of coconut firms AG Pacific Nutriceutical Corporation, Ahya Coco Organic Food Manufacturing Corporation, Cocolife Multipurpose Cooperative, Franklin Baker Company of the Philippines, Lao Integrated Farms, Incorporated, and Millennium Specialty Coco Products Corporation. Food processors Ayana’s Siling Kinamayo, Eng Seng Food Products, and Healthy Sweets Mindanao, Corporation also joined.
After processing and gathering the reports, the data showed that their participation in the three-day resulted in P16,388,214.70 in closed deals.
The closed deals were capped through the business-matching activities conducted between the coconut processors and the institutional buyers from the Middle East, the United States, Canada, Japan, South Korea, Hong Kong, and Bangladesh.
DTI-Davao del Sur Provincial Director Maria Victoria R. Placer shared that the participants from the region are being assisted through the Coconut Farmers and Industry Development Plan (CFIDP). This is an effort by the Philippine government to boost the coconut sector and enhance the lives of coconut farmers. The strategy, which was made possible by Republic Act No. 11524, aims to restore the coconut industry, raise farmer incomes, and advance social justice.
Apart from the closed deals, the Davao Region also recorded US$7,224,357.91 worth of under-negotiated sales, which is approximately P397,339,685.05.
“Under negotiation sales are being looked forward to materialize as booked sales in the coming months,” said Placer, who also sits as the CFIDP regional coordinator.
Among the products showcased during the exposition are coconut crisps and chips, coconut sugar and syrup, candies and teas, frozen coconut water, canned coconut milk, virgin coconut oil, and desiccated coconut. PR