P800K worth of Davao fresh produce shipped to Saudi Arabia — DA

The Department of Agriculture Regional Field Office 11 (DA-RFO 11) has shipped 17.2 metric tons of fresh produce worth about P800,000 to Saudi Arabia, marking another boost for the Davao Region's agribusiness sector.

The shipment, which departed on July 24, consisted of 1,350 boxes of Cardava bananas, 50 boxes of sweet potatoes, and 50 boxes of jicama (locally known as singkamas), the DA said.

The produce was exported by Gerb Golden Hands Corp. of Sto. Tomas, Davao del Norte, and was bound for Rana Mohammed Saleem Commercial LLC in Jeddah.

"This shipment is proof that our participation in international trade exhibitions goes beyond promotion. It creates real market opportunities for our farmers and exporters," DA Regional Executive Director Macario Gonzaga said in a statement.

"Every successful shipment strengthens Davao Region's reputation as a dependable source of premium agricultural products and opens the door to more sustained export opportunities," he added.

According to the DA, the export deal stemmed from business opportunities generated during the AGRA Middle East Exhibition 2024 in Dubai.

The department said it aims to further expand overseas markets for Philippine agricultural products.

"Every new export market we open creates opportunities for Filipino farmers to earn more from what they grow instead of allowing that value to benefit producers in other countries," Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. said.

"Expanding agricultural exports helps narrow our trade deficit, encourages investments in modern farming and logistics, generates jobs in rural communities, and builds a more competitive agricultural sector that can drive long-term economic growth," he added.

The shipment came after the DA and the Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines signed a memorandum of agreement aimed at transforming the country's agricultural and fishery products into premium global brands through geographical indication (GI) protection.— MCG, GMA News