Philippines hits record USD 60 million at CAEXPO 2026

MANILA — Philippine exporters achieved a monumental milestone at the 23rd China-ASEAN Expo (CAEXPO 2026), bringing home a record-breaking USD 60 million in export sales. Organized by the Center for International Trade Expositions and Missions (CITEM), the Philippine delegation recorded its highest sales since the country began participating in the event in 2004. The steep upward trajectory highlights the expanding footprint and sustained momentum of Filipino businesses entering mainland China.

Rallying under the official national showcase banner “PARTNERPhilippines,” the delegation highlighted the country’s reputation for commercial quality, rich culture, and dependable trade relationships. Also in the spotlight was the island province of Cebu, designated as this year’s “Province of Charm,” which captivated international buyers with its world-class artisanal craftsmanship, dynamic economy, and top-tier tourism destinations.

As a homegrown CITEM professional who rose through the agency’s ranks, Executive Director Leah Pulido Ocampo has personally witnessed the dramatic growth of the Philippines’ participation and commercial performance at CAEXPO and across the broader Chinese market over the years. “Hitting $60 million at CAEXPO proves that the Philippines is distinctly ‘Programmed for Business and Growth,'” said Ocampo. “By coming together under the PARTNERPhilippines brand and coupling product expos with investment forums, we have opened deeper commercial avenues across China. Our mission remains focused on helping homegrown businesses shine on the global stage.”

The commercial surge was driven by a record delegation of 72 Philippine enterprises across diverse sectors. Fresh durian emerged as the undisputed star export of the show, generating 90% of total export sales — with a leading fresh produce exporter alone securing USD 53 million in durian sales to meet soaring Chinese demand. Beyond fresh durian, new exhibitors recorded strong uptake in organic coconut products, coconut oil, functional herbal beverages, and banana chips. Coconut-based handicrafts and food derivatives also saw rising interest across the trade floor.

Parallel to the trade floor activities, the Board of Investments (BOI) anchored the Philippine Investment Forum to actively pitch foreign direct investment prospects. The forum briefed international investors on strategic national priority sectors, focusing heavily on advanced manufacturing, innovation, regional supply chains, and green economy projects. A key highlight was the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MOU) between major business associations to foster long-term enterprise cooperation.

Several core advantages make Philippine products a consistent hit among Chinese consumers. Key drivers include the unmatched natural flavor profiles of tropical Philippine produce, strict quality controls, and shorter supply chain transit times that ensure maximum freshness upon arrival. Furthermore, the rising appetite among Chinese shoppers for healthy, natural, and clean-label agricultural items aligns seamlessly with the country’s primary export offerings.

Looking ahead, trade connectivity between the Philippines and China is set to grow even stronger. The implementation of the upgraded China-ASEAN Free Trade Area (CAFTA 3.0) agreement enhances supply chain integration, streamlines customs clearance, and boosts cross-border e-commerce. Furthermore, the opening of the Pinglu Canal — a 134-kilometer waterway linking China’s inland river networks directly to the Beibu Gulf — significantly cuts transit times and shipping costs for maritime cargo flowing into southwestern China, providing a major logistical boost for Philippine agricultural exports.

Following this success, CITEM is gearing up for its next major commercial outing at the upcoming China International Import Expo (CIIE), taking place from Nov. 5 to 10 in Shanghai. The Philippines has built a strong track record at CIIE, consistently outperforming projected export targets through major bulk supply contracts for fresh fruit and seafood, making the expo a cornerstone of the country’s East Asian trade policy.

The country’s milestone participation at CAEXPO was organized by CITEM in collaboration with key government and private sector partners, including the DTI Regional Operations Group (DTI-ROG), DTI Export Marketing Bureau (DTI-EMB), Coconut Farmers and Industry Development Plan (CFIDP), Board of Investments (BOI), Foreign Trade Service Corps (FTSC), Philippine Trade and Investment Center (PTIC)-Guangzhou, Department of Agriculture (DA), Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), Tourism Promotions Board Philippines (TPB), Philippine Exporters Confederation Inc. (PHILEXPORT), and the Federation of Filipino-Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry Inc. (FFCCCII), along with support from commercial institutions.

The FFCCCII has been steadfast in its all-out support through the years. Together with the crucial in-country diplomatic endorsement by the Philippine Embassy and the Philippine Consulate, the success of this year’s CAEXPO participation was equally anchored by the country’s largest contingent of more than 300 delegates to the trade event.