DA pushes exports of more high-value crops
MANILA, Philippines – The Department of Agriculture (DA) is leveraging the Philippines’ renewed standing in the global banana trade to promote exports of other key agricultural commodities.
In a statement on Tuesday, the DA said it is enhancing its export playbook to promote 10 additional high-value crops in the world market.
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The focused promotion will cover asparagus, avocado, cacao, calamansi, coffee, dragonfruit, durian, okra, pomelo and rambutan.
The DA said the Philippines’ return as the second-largest banana exporter serves “a springboard for more aggressive export expansion,” with plans to replicate this success in other high-value crops.
“If disease risks are managed and investments sustained, the DA’s strategy could reposition the Philippines not just as a major supplier, but as a more diversified and resilient agricultural exporter,” he added.
A report from the United Nations’ Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) showed that the country ranked second in the global banana trade in 2025, improving from third place in 2024.
Ecuador ranked first, while Colombia, Guatemala and Costa Rica settled at third to fifth spots.
Bountiful harvest
The Philippines is also Asia’s top banana supplier.
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The FAO said banana exports from the archipelago expanded by 26 percent to 2.93 million metric tons (MT) in 2025 from 2.33 million MT based on available preliminary export data.
The report attributed the trade improvement to the local production’s recovery after sustaining damage in recent years.
“Industry sources reported that substantial investments had been made in boosting the production of bananas in Region 2, Cagayan Valley of the Philippines, including through the provision of organic fertilizer and other inputs by the Department of Agriculture,” it added.
The DA said that 106,000 banana planting materials were distributed under the High Value Crops Development Program. INQ
