Coconut exporters generate $1.72 million sales in Japan’s biggest food fair

Upgrade to High-Speed Internet for only ₱1499/month!

Enjoy up to 100 Mbps fiber broadband, perfect for browsing, streaming, and gaming.

Visit Suniway.ph to learn

December 16, 2025 | 12:00am

MANILA, Philippines — The country’s coconut exporters generated $1.72 million in sales from its participation in Japan’s largest food trade fair in the Kansai area.

In a statement yesterday, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) said the export sales came from immediate orders made during the FABEX Kansai 2025 held from Nov. 26 to 28.

During the event, Philippine exporters also received new leads for long-term supply deals in Japan’s growing food and wellness market.

The Philippine Pavilion featured 25 exporters offering plant-based beverages, natural sweeteners, specialty oils and other coconut-based ingredients.

For the DTI, the performance shows the rising demand for coconut products and strengthens the country’s position in the high-value industry.

The country’s participation was organized by the Philippine Trade and Investment Center (PTIC) – Osaka and the DTI-Export Marketing Bureau, with support from DTI Laguna and Region 4-A.

To prepare for the exhibition, the Philippine delegation conducted market scoping and retail scans to study pricing, packaging, consumer behavior and competitor positioning.

PTIC-Osaka commercial counsellor Michael Alfred Ignacio said that the participation at FABEX Kansai showed the exporters’ capability and Japan’s strong confidence in the country’s coconut sector.

“These results strengthen our long-term positioning in the Japanese market and open new opportunities for sustainable commercial growth,” Ignacio said.

Philippine Consul General to Osaka Voltaire Mauricio said that the delegation’s performance also highlighted the world-class quality of Philippine coconut products and the micro, small and medium enteprises’ (MSMEs) readiness to serve the discerning needs of international markets.

“We are committed to further enhancing these partnerships to create lasting and mutually beneficial economic opportunities,” Mauricio said.

The DTI said the delegation’s participation at FABEX Kansai contributes to broader efforts to promote the growth of regional MSMEs, build export resilience and secure higher value for agricultural products.