Homestyle, holiday decor sector upbeat on 2026 exports

December 25, 2025 | 12:00am

MANILA, Philippines — Homestyle and holiday decor industry players are optimistic about export earnings next year as they anticipate orders to be made following participation in recent international trade fairs.

The sector is banking on booked orders from the October 2025 housewares and decor trade show in Hong Kong and Manila FAME, said Romeo Balderrama Jr., president of the Philippine Homestyle and Holiday Decor Association Inc. and PHILEXPORT Southern Tagalog Association Inc., in a statement from the Philippine Exporters Confederation Inc.

Organized by the Center for International Trade Expositions and Missions, Manila FAME is the country’s premier home, fashion and lifestyle trade show.

“The samples and inquiries usually come in January and February next year,” Balderrama said.

“We had other buyers before. It seems like they’re back again because they saw us in Hong Kong (trade show) as they don’t come here anymore,” he said.

For this year, he expects the sector’s export earnings to decline by 30 to 40 percent compared to previous years.

“It’s not like before, it’s sluggish, even the local (market). Prices are high because of the strong dollar,” he said.

According to Balderrama, securing orders from foreign buyers also often requires participation in two to three trade shows before deals can be finalized.

As such, international trade fairs serve as an important platform for promoting the sector’s products and receiving orders.

“Product development (is also) the main key: buyers always want something new, something indigenous, something sustainable –that’s our niche… You should have a niche because you can’t match your price with China,” Balderrama said.

The United States remains the top export market for Philippine home and holiday decor products, cornering a 60 to 70 percent share.

Other big export markets for the sector are Italy, Brazil and Japan.