Dubai, United Arab Emirates—The Philippines has expanded its agricultural footprint in the Middle East with the arrival on June 28 of an 18-metric ton shipment of premium MD2 pineapples in the United Arab Emirates, underscoring growing demand for Philippine fresh produce and the government’s push to diversify export markets.
The ceremonial launch, held at Dubai’s Al Aweer Fruit and Vegetable Market, brought together officials from the Philippine Embassy in Abu Dhabi, the Philippine Consulate General in Dubai, the Philippine Trade and Investment Center-Dubai, and the Department of Agriculture’s Office of the Agricultural Attaché (OAA)-Dubai, alongside private sector partners leading the export initiative.
The shipment, consisting of 1,500 boxes of fresh MD2 pineapples sourced from farms in Tampakan, South Cotabato, arrived via the Port of Khor Fakkan before being distributed across the UAE market.
The event was organized by the DA’s Office of the Agricultural Attaché-Dubai as part of its continuing efforts to open new markets, strengthen trade linkages and promote Philippine agricultural exports across the Middle East.
Working closely with Philippine foreign service posts and the private sector, the agricultural attaché facilitates market access, connects exporters with overseas buyers and helps address market-entry requirements for Philippine farm products.
Officials said regular shipments are expected every two weeks, signaling sustained demand for premium Philippine tropical fruits in one of the region’s fastest-growing food import markets.
The latest export also reflects a broader strategy to reduce reliance on traditional markets by expanding the country’s presence across the Gulf Cooperation Council, where rising populations, tourism and limited domestic agricultural production continue to fuel demand for imported fresh produce.
The shipment was organized by Davao-based exporter Mensch Fil-Am Trading in partnership with Avante Agri-Products Philippines Inc., with distribution supported by Octagon General Trading LLC in the UAE. The company also works with partners in Saudi Arabia and other Gulf markets to distribute Philippine fruits, including bananas, mangoes, durian and pomelo.
The initiative aligns with the Department of Agriculture’s strategy under Secretary Francisco P. Tiu Laurel Jr. to expand agricultural exports, improve logistics and post-harvest systems, and raise the global competitiveness of Philippine high-value crops.
The export drive also complements President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s agenda of modernizing agriculture and increasing farmers’ incomes through greater market access and stronger agricultural value chains.
As global demand for premium tropical fruits continues to rise, the DA’s Agricultural Attaché Office in Dubai is expected to play a bigger role in helping Philippine exporters deepen their presence in the UAE and the wider Gulf region, translating stronger market access into higher-value export opportunities and better incomes for Filipino farmers.
