The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) said the conclusion this year of additional free trade agreements (FTAs) will boost Philippine coconut exports, which grew 34.4 percent surge, reaching USD3.6 billion in 2025.
“The free trade agreements will be a big boost not just the coconut but also to the agriculture sector,” said Trade and Industry Secretary Cristina A. Roque during the DTI–Bagong Pilipinas COCONUTPhilippines Trade Fair opening day on August 26.
The DTI aims to conclude or secure a total of five new FTAs and updated trade pacts by the end of 2026. The Philippines is on track to conclude FTA negotiations with the European Union and Canada, and an updated Japan-Philippines Economic Partnership Agreement this year. Earlier, the Philippines signed an FTA with the United Arab Emirates in January, its first bilateral FTA in the Middle East. It also concluded negotiations with Chile, another first, this time with a Latin American country.
Roque the strong potential of coconuts globally because of its health benefits. In addition, foreign markets like the taste of the coconut.
Accounting for nearly half of the Philippines’ total agro-based exports last year, the coconut sector continues to demonstrate immense potential in generating quality jobs, boosting income for farmers, and strengthening the global presence of Filipino enterprises.
The sector’s strong performance also contributed significantly to the country’s record USD84.48 billion total export revenues in 2025 and the continued growth momentum in 2026. Beyond export revenues, the sector serves as an economic lifeline for 2.8 million Filipino farmers.
“The value of our coconut industry lies not only in what we harvest, but in what we create from it. We must maximize its potential by producing competitive, high-value products that generate lasting income for our farmers and local communities,” said Roque
“Under the leadership of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., this administration is fully committed to empowering local producers and entrepreneurs through wider market access, enterprise support and market diversification,” Roque added.
Secretary Roque also cited the growing global appetite for Philippine agricultural exports, citing sustained demand for fresh bananas, pineapples, calamansi and ube—which continues to gain rapid popularity across overseas food and beverage markets.
To seize these opportunities, the DTI is connecting coconut enterprises with international buyers through targeted export promotion, business-matching activities, outbound trade missions, and the global network of Philippine Trade and Investment Centers (PTICs).
“If you want to meet a company or partner in another country, the DTI will help make that connection happen. Our goal is clear: build stronger businesses, improve incomes and generate more quality jobs here in the Philippines,” Secretary Roque stressed.
The participating 300 MSMEs seek to expand opportunities for product development, direct market linkages and commercial partnerships—complementing targeted support programs such as the Coconut Farmers and Industry Development Plan (CFIDP).
“The world already knows the exceptional quality of Philippine coconut products. Now, we must create more Filipino success stories that will bring better lives to our farmers and uplift communities nationwide,” Roque concluded.
