THE Department of Agriculture (DA) announced that the Philippines has exported young coconuts (buko) to Liberia, potentially opening new trade channels across West Africa.
Davao City-based Abante Agri-Products Philippines Inc. shipped approximately 50 metric tons (MT) of whole young coconuts to Monrovia, Liberia, using two 40-foot refrigerated containers. Each container held 16,000 coconuts distributed across 800 sacks (20 pieces per sack), carrying a combined free-on-board (FOB) value of $22,400.
The initiative supports the government’s broader strategy to diversify export destinations. Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. emphasized that market access and private-sector partnerships are essential to build a competitive agriculture sector and enhance farmers’ livelihoods.
‘Expanding into new international markets creates opportunities for our coconut farmers and exporters,’ Tiu Laurel said. ‘The challenge is to turn these initial shipments into sustained demand that delivers better returns to our farmers and strengthens the Philippine coconut industry.’
Facilitated through Liberia’s Ministry of Agriculture, the shipment will be donated to rural communities in the West African nation to support feeding programs and households-adding a humanitarian dimension to the commercial transaction.
However, the DA noted that the long-term impact on farmers depends on whether these new channels can generate repeat orders, boost overall demand, and lift farmgate prices. The agency cautioned that higher export volumes alone do not guarantee increased incomes, as shipping costs, product quality, supply consistency, and revenue-sharing mechanisms will ultimately dictate the net benefits for local growers.
‘From Mindanao’s coconut-growing communities to rural Liberia, the initiative demonstrates how Philippine agricultural products can serve international needs while opening new possibilities for farmers and the domestic coconut industry,’ the DA added.