The Philippines generated $290.71 million in export sales at the 2026 Asia Fruit Logistica in Hong Kong, driven by heavy demand for tropical fruit, according to the Department of Agriculture. Banana exporters signed new contracts to ship Cardaba saba to Hong Kong and New Zealand during the September exhibition.
Returning to the international trade exhibition after a 10-year absence, Philippine agricultural officials and private-sector exhibitors secured millions in commercial deals. The delegation utilized the Sept. 2 to 4 event to pitch high-value crops, pushing an aggressive strategy to close the nation’s stubborn agricultural trade deficit.
Durian and Bananas Drive $290.71 million in Exhibition Orders
Exhibitors raked in a combined $222.75 million in booked sales alongside an additional $70.4 million in sales currently under negotiation, according to Department of Agriculture figures. Durian dominated the commercial orders, pulling in $206.23 million in bookings. Cavendish bananas followed with $11 million, while Cardaba bananas accounted for $3.08 million in orders. Negotiated sales for dragon fruit and mangoes reached $1.02 million and $170,800, respectively, alongside a newly minted supply and purchase agreement for Cardaba bananas valued at $2.44 million.
Arnel V. De Mesa, DA spokesman and agriculture assistant secretary for special concerns and official development assistance, credited the strong showing to active promotion by public officials and industry partners.
“Our undersecretary for exports, Philip Young, together with the private companies there now, are very active in promoting our tropical fruits.”
Arnel V. De Mesa, DA spokesman and agriculture assistant secretary for special concerns and official development assistance
De Mesa added that the export push directly supports farmer revenue in commercial sectors. Our efforts are now bearing fruit so that the profits of our farmers will grow even more, especially those in high-value commercial crops,
he told reporters, noting that international demand for Philippine produce is increasing while presenting challenges in meeting the required quality and volume.
Tackling the $11 Billion Agricultural Trade Deficit
The fruit export drive is part of a broader government effort to counter national import imbalances. Agriculture Secretary Francisco P. Tiu Laurel, Jr. emphasized that opening more overseas markets gives farmers bigger and more reliable markets, raises the value of their products, and brings more income to rural communities.
“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 investment in agriculture, including irrigation.”
Francisco P. Tiu Laurel, Jr., Agriculture Secretary
The Department of Agriculture noted that participation in Asia Fruit Logistica opens more overseas markets for Philippine high-value exports, builds commercial partnerships, and gathers market intelligence that will help exporters meet international demand and standards.
Complementing the commercial contracts, the delegation engaged logistics and shipping services companies during the Hong Kong expo to explore preservation technologies that would allow fruit exports to stay fresh during transit. The initial collaboration will center on dragon fruit, with possible expansion to other crops, while a virtual training is also being prepared for DA offices and agencies involved in handling high-value crops, research and standards.
Next Steps and the Upcoming Rome Investment Forum
The Department of Agriculture is already preparing its next international push. In October, the DA will fly to Rome for the Hand-in-Hand Initiative Investment Forum 2026 organized by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations.
The Hand-in-Hand Initiative is a program implemented alongside the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations and the Asian Development Bank. It targets to generate P1 billion in private sector investment and highlight the export potential of high-value crops, with officials planning to pitch mangoes, seaweed, coffee, and cacao for export.
Back home, Deputy House Speaker Raymond Democrito C. Mendoza, who led the ceremonial ribbon-cutting of the Philippine pavilion at the exhibition, pledged to support and secure more assistance for the DA’s agri-export program.
