The Department of Agriculture (DA), through the Bureau of Plant Industry (BPI) and Regional Field Office XII, led the official send-off ceremony on June 6 at the Unifrutti Port in Davao City for a shipment of fresh Philippine pineapples bound for Khorfakkan Port in the UAE.
The export shipment marks a significant development for the country's pineapple industry, particularly as exporters continue to navigate logistical challenges linked to global shipping disruptions, the DA said in a statement.
Fresh shipment
The cargo, organized by exporter Mensch Fil-Am Corp. headed by president Racquel S. Simon, consists of 18 metric tons of fresh MD2 pineapples packed in 1,500 boxes and sourced from farms in Tampakan, South Cotabato.
The shipment is expected to arrive in the UAE on June 25 or 26.
According to the Philippine Statistics Authority, pineapples have become the Philippines' top agricultural export to the UAE, highlighting the growing demand for the country's premium fruit products in the Gulf region.
The DA said the successful shipment also demonstrates the country's ability to comply with stringent international phytosanitary standards and UAE import requirements.
Market expansion
Agriculture Secretary Francisco P. Tiu Laurel Jr. described the development as a strategic step in expanding overseas markets for Philippine agricultural products while creating broader economic benefits for farming communities.
"Every box of Philippine produce that reaches a new or existing market represents more income for farmers, more jobs for workers, and more value created at home. That is why we are aggressively pursuing new export opportunities for Philippine agriculture," Tiu Laurel said.
He added that the government's goal is not only to increase exports but also to build a stronger and more competitive farm sector where Filipino farmers directly benefit from global market opportunities.
By connecting local growers to high-value markets such as the UAE, the DA expects to encourage greater investments in agricultural production, create sustainable livelihood opportunities, and strengthen rural economies.
Trade gateway
The export breakthrough comes despite elevated freight costs and logistical disruptions linked to the ongoing Red Sea crisis, underscoring the resilience of Philippine exporters and the competitiveness of the country's high-value crops sector.
Officials also view the shipment as an opportunity to strengthen trade relations with the UAE and create pathways for broader market access across the Middle East.
The initiative supports the government's efforts to narrow the country's agricultural trade deficit, which stood at $11.1 billion in 2025 despite a 5-percent improvement from the previous year.
Following the directive of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., the DA has intensified efforts to open new markets for Philippine farm products to increase export earnings, reduce dependence on imported food, and improve the country's agricultural trade balance.
The agency said continued market expansion initiatives are expected to create new growth opportunities for Philippine agriculture while helping improve the incomes of local farming communities. —Ed: Corrie S. Narisma
