PHL fruit exports cited as Caexpo sales climb to $49M

SALES from Philippine fruit exports such as durian, coconut and banana products at the annual China-Asean Expo (Caexpo) climbed by nearly five-fold to reach an all-time high of $49 million in 2024, according to the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Philippine Trade and Investment Center. In a statement on Wednesday, the Trade department said the Philippine delegation secured $49 million in negotiated sales, the highest in the country’s history at Caexpo. This is a 381-percent increase from the $10.

19 million generated in 2023. The Trade department attributed this “success” to the growing demand for “high-quality” Philippine produce in the Chinese market. According to DTI, the Philippine Commodity Pavilion at Caexpo was organized by the Center for International Trade Expositions and Missions (Citem), the export promotions arm of DTI.

Caexpo was held from September 24-28, 2024 in Nanning, China. Top-selling commodities at the China-based annual international trade event, DTI said, included durian, banana chips and personal care products. In fact, DTI said one of the Durian exporters attributed the “impressive” sales generated to consumers becoming more aware of the health benefits of eating durian.

The fruit is increasingly recognized for its positive effects on digestion, bone strength, and immune system support. Aside from the top commodities, the pavilion offered other products such as liqueur, dried vegetable leaves, coconut products, guyabano, kangkong c.