THE DEPARTMENT of Trade and Industry (DTI) XI will hold a week-long trade fair from July 28 to Aug. 3 at SM Lanang to promote coconut products from local farmers and cooperatives, aiming to boost domestic awareness of the coconut industry in the region.
Rachel S. Remitio, DTI XI assistant regional director, said the fair will showcase both food and non-food coconut products developed by coconut farmers and cooperatives across the region, with the goal of connecting them to consumers and institutional buyers.
“We believe that we really have a lot of coconut products that Davao Region can showcase,” Remitio said, adding that the event aims to help coconut farmers promote goods that have already been developed.
Featured food products include energy drinks and virgin coconut oil (VCO), while non-food items include health and wellness products such as ointments and coconut vinegar.
Remitio said these products have passed regulatory standards, which she noted is one of DTI’s criteria for participation in trade fairs, ensuring that micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) comply with required regulations.
She said Davao Region’s virgin coconut oil and wellness products have already gained a following in the international market due to their health benefits and compliance with standards.
The official said the trade fair is meant to build the same level of awareness and patronage among local consumers.
“If our international markets are looking into this, how much more should the local market benefit from these local products that we produce?” Remitio said.
Remitio said the event is designed to expose these cooperatives to the market, gather feedback from buyers and consumers on how to improve their products, and ultimately generate sales.
A total of 31 coconut farmers’ organizations will join the Madayaw Coconut Philippines: A Davao Region Trade Fair, which serves as a side activity to the Coconut Cooperative Development Summit, set for July 28-29.
“With Davao Region holding the largest area planted to coconut in the country, this has prompted intensified promotion and assistance efforts in the region,” she said.
Remitio noted that aside from fresh coconuts, the region also exports processed coconut products.
The trade fair is part of the implementation of the Coconut Farmers and Industry Development Plan (CFIDP) for 2024-2028, which involves collaboration among several government agencies.
Under the plan, DTI handles market promotion and development, while the Philippine Coconut Authority focuses on farm productivity and the distribution of coconut seedlings to meet market demand.
The Commission on Higher Education (CHED) provides scholarships for agriculture-related courses, while the Agricultural Training Institute under the Department of Agriculture conducts technical and entrepreneurial training programs.
