The Philippines’ premium MD2 pineapple is gaining ground in the international market as it already reached the United Arab Emirates (UAE), the Department of Agriculture (DA) said on Tuesday.
The 18-metric-ton (18,000 kilograms) shipment, consisting of 1,500 boxes of fresh MD2 pineapples sourced from farms in Tampakan, South Cotabato, arrived via the Port of Khor Fakkan on June 28, before being distributed across the UAE market.
The shipment, organized by Mensh Fil-Am Trading in collaboration with Avante Agri-Products Philippines, Inc., was sent off from the Unifrutti Wharf in Ilang, Davao City on June 6.
The MD2 variety is the world’s most popular commercial pineapple, known for its exceptional sweetness, low acidity and golden flesh.
“Every box of Philippine produce that reaches a new or existing market represents more income for farmers, more jobs for workers, and more value created at home. That is why we are aggressively pursuing new export opportunities for Philippine agriculture,” DA Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel said then.
The initiative aligns with the DA’s push to expand agricultural exports and complements President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s agenda of modernizing agriculture and increasing farmers’ incomes through greater market access and stronger agricultural value chains.
“Officials said regular shipments are expected every two weeks, signaling sustained demand for premium Philippine tropical fruits in one of the region’s fastest-growing food import markets,” the DA said in a news release.
“The latest export also reflects a broader strategy to reduce reliance on traditional markets by expanding the country’s presence across the Gulf Cooperation Council.”
The DA said the expansion of the country’s agricultural footprint in the Middle East underscores the growing demand for Philippine fresh produce and the government’s push to diversify export markets.
The event was organized by the DA’s Office of the Agricultural Attaché-Dubai as part of its continuing efforts to open new markets, strengthen trade linkages and promote Philippine agricultural exports across the Middle East. (PNA)