Fresh Philippine saba, or cardava, bananas are once again headed to Auckland, with a second commercial shipment reinforcing the country’s foothold in New Zealand and signaling that a fruit long associated with Filipino kitchens is gaining traction in overseas markets.
The latest shipment by Davao City-based AVANTE Agri-Products Philippines Inc. follows the successful arrival of its maiden export earlier this year, a milestone that has boosted buyer confidence and opened the door to regular orders from New Zealand.
The shipment consists of a 40-foot refrigerated container carrying 1,400 boxes of export-quality fresh saba bananas bound for Fresh Produce Group NZ Ltd. Each box contains 12 kilograms of fruit, carefully packed and palletized to preserve freshness throughout the journey while meeting New Zealand’s stringent food safety and plant quarantine standards.
The company said the first shipment arrived in excellent condition and was well received by the buyer, validating the quality of Philippine-grown saba bananas and paving the way for succeeding exports in the coming months.
The repeat order also provides a welcome boost for banana growers in Mindanao, where producers are increasingly looking to diversify export markets and reduce dependence on traditional destinations.
Department of Agriculture Regional Executive Director Macario D. Gonzaga said the successful repeat shipment highlights the capability of Davao’s banana industry to meet the demands of international markets while creating more opportunities for local farmers.
“This second shipment is a testament to the dedication of our farmers, exporters, and industry partners in consistently delivering high-quality Philippine saba bananas that meet global standards. It demonstrates that our native crops have strong export potential, and we remain committed to supporting initiatives that expand market access, increase farmers’ incomes, and further strengthen Davao Region’s position as a reliable source of premium agricultural products,” Gonzaga said.
It also highlights the growing commercial potential of native Philippine crops that have long been consumed locally but are only beginning to gain wider international recognition.
The export-quality bananas were sourced from accredited farms in Davao del Norte and processed in an accredited packing facility in full compliance with international food safety and export requirements, highlighting the growing sophistication of the country’s fresh produce supply chain.
AVANTE credited farmers, growers, packers, government agencies, logistics providers and export facilitators for making the milestone possible, underscoring how export success depends on close coordination across the entire agricultural value chain.
Agriculture Secretary Francisco P. Tiu Laurel Jr. welcomed the second shipment, describing it as encouraging news for Philippine agriculture and a sign that overseas demand for locally grown products continues to expand.
“This is welcome news for our farmers and exporters. It proves there is a growing market for high-quality Philippine products overseas,” Tiu Laurel said. “At the Department of Agriculture, we are working double time to open more export markets for our farm products because every new market creates better opportunities to increase farmers’ incomes, generate rural jobs and build a more competitive agricultural sector.”
Agriculture Undersecretary for Export Philip Young said the New Zealand shipment reflects the Department of Agriculture’s broader strategy of diversifying export markets and products.
As global buyers increasingly seek premium and specialty produce, he said fresh saba bananas demonstrate how familiar Philippine crops can command higher value abroad, broaden the country’s agricultural export portfolio and create a more resilient export industry.
“Every successful shipment builds confidence among overseas buyers and brings us closer to our goal of giving Filipino farmers more stable markets and better incomes through exports,” Young said.
