THE DEPARTMENT of Trade and Industry (DTI) XI launched the Madayaw Coconut Philippines: A Davao Region Trade Fair on Tuesday morning, July 28, at the SM Lanang atrium to showcase the best coconut-based products and innovations.
The trade fair features 30 exhibitors representing six provinces and cities in Davao Region, offering items ranging from food, drinks, health and wellness products, handicrafts, and other goods.
It also aims to strengthen the competitiveness of the coconut industry in the Philippines through the Coconut Farmers and Industry Development Plan (CFIDP) by widening market opportunities and promoting value-added chains.
Madayaw Coconut Philippines: A Davao Region Trade Fair will run July 28 to August 3, and is a major side event of the Davao Coconut Cooperative Summit 2026 in partnership with the Cooperative Development Authority (CDA), Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA), and SM Lanang Premier.
The opening ceremony was attended by key representatives of DTI XI along with partner agencies to deliver their message of support.
In an interview, DTI XI regional director Romeo Castañaga said the event provides a platform for market access and is a priority initiative by DTI Secretary Cristina Roque in order to provide more opportunities for the coconut farmers in trade fairs across the country.
“This [trade fair] we can already include it in our signature regional trade fair in Davao Region so that more farmers, more MSMEs will be able to connect with the market. Otherwise, we make a product, but there’s no market access so it becomes nothing,” Castañaga said.
Asec Leonila Baluyut of the DTI Regional Operations Group emphasized that the secretary also prioritizes MSMEs development other than the agency’s international-related programs and projects.
She also said the event will help generate sales and encourage farmers and cooperatives to participate in the trade fairs to see the value chain of products manufactured and processed using coconut as raw materials.
According to the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), the Philippines exported $3.6 billion worth of coconut products in 2025. It is also the second-largest coconut producer in the world, with 14.9 million tons in 2026, based on the World Population Review.
