Philippine coconut exports surge 34.4% to USD 3.6 billion

Philippine coconut exports surged 34.4% to USD 3.6 billion in 2025, prompting the Department of Trade and Industry to accelerate efforts to move the industry toward higher-value products and expand its reach in global markets.

The push carries broader economic stakes because coconut products accounted for nearly half of the country’s total agro-based exports last year, while the industry supports 2.8 million Filipino farmers whose incomes could benefit if more value from processing, branding, and international sales is retained locally.

The coconut sector also contributed significantly to the Philippines’ record USD 84.48 billion in total export revenues in 2025 and has helped sustain export growth momentum into 2026.

DTI is seeking to build on that performance by encouraging enterprises to produce more competitive, higher-value coconut goods instead of relying largely on raw or minimally processed exports.

“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 DTI Secretary Ma. Cristina A. Roque during the opening day of the DTI–Bagong Pilipinas COCONUTPhilippines Trade Fair on Aug. 26.

The strategy is intended to broaden opportunities for farmers, processors, and local entrepreneurs by linking Philippine products with more overseas buyers and markets.

“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.

Roque also pointed to growing international demand for Philippine agricultural exports, including fresh bananas, pineapples, calamansi, and ube.

Ube, in particular, has continued to gain popularity in overseas food and beverage markets, adding to opportunities for Philippine producers seeking to develop products with stronger branding and higher commercial value.

To capture more of this demand, DTI is connecting coconut enterprises with international buyers through targeted export promotions and business-matching activities.

The department is also using outbound trade missions and its global network of Philippine Trade and Investment Centers to help local companies identify prospective foreign partners.

“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 300 participating micro, small, and medium enterprises are seeking opportunities for product development, direct market linkages, and commercial partnerships.

Their participation complements targeted government support programs such as the Coconut Farmers and Industry Development Plan, or CFIDP, which is designed to strengthen the coconut industry and improve the welfare of farmers who depend on it.

The emphasis on higher-value products reflects an effort to ensure that stronger export demand produces wider benefits at home through processing, enterprise development, employment, and higher incomes across coconut-producing communities.

Philippine coconut exporters could also gain additional market access through the country’s expanding network of free trade agreements.

The government recently concluded negotiations for a Philippines–Chile free trade agreement, potentially opening further opportunities for Philippine exporters once the pact takes effect.

Trade discussions with the European Union and Canada are also ongoing, giving coconut producers and other Philippine exporters possible pathways into additional major markets.

For the coconut industry, wider preferential market access could help businesses diversify destinations, reduce dependence on a limited number of export markets, and create new commercial opportunities for smaller producers.

“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,” Secretary Roque concluded.