Local fruit exporters generated a combined $290.71 million in booked and under-negotiation sales during a two-day fresh produce trade show in Hong Kong, according to the Department of Agriculture (DA).
The Philippines returned to Asia Fruit Logistica (AFL) after almost a decade as part of efforts to expand the country’s export market portfolio. The fair was held at AsiaWorld-Expo in Hong Kong last September 2 to 4.
Broken down, exporters secured $222.75 million in booked sales and $70.4 million in under-negotiation sales across four commodities, such as banana (Cavendish and Cardaba), durian, mango, and dragon fruit.
Of this, durian held a lion’s share of the total generated sales at around $275 million. This was followed by Cavendish and Cardaba bananas at $11 million and $3.5 million, respectively.
Agriculture Assistant Secretary Arnel de Mesa said the government and the private sector actively promote the country’s tropical fruits.
‘Our efforts are now bearing fruit to further increase the income of our farmers, especially those in the high-value commercial crops (sector),’ De Mesa told reporters on Wednesday.
He also said the DA will go to Rome in October for the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization’s (FAO) global Hand-in-Hand (HIH) initiative, where they will pitch mango, seaweeds, coffee, and cacao to private investors.
AFL, Asia’s leading fresh produce trade show, covers the fresh produce supply chain and allows exporters to meet buyers, distributors, retailers, and other industry players. The 2026 edition featured over 760 exhibitors and some 14,000 buyers from 80 countries.
The Philippine delegation was led by Agriculture Undersecretary for High Value Export Crops and Agri-Fishery Export Development and Promotion Philip Young.
‘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 said.
Stakeholders who joined the trade show included Pilipino Banana Growers and Exporters Association (PBGEA) and the Philippines Banana Council Inc. (PhilBana Council).
Also present were the Durian Exporters Association of the Philippines Inc. (DEAP), the National Mango Farmers and Stakeholders Federation Inc., and the Philippine Dragon Fruit Growers Association.
The agency said it already identified 16 priority export commodities as part of its broader overseas market development program.