By Tracy Cabrera
SM MEGAMALL, Mandaluyong City — Halal, coconut and agriculture-based products were the center of attraction at the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI)’s 2026 Bagong Pilipinas National Exporters’ Fair, with exhibitor sales reaching ₱129.25 million.
DTI Secretary Cristina Roque expressed optimism over the success of the trade fair as she cited that it would significantly boost opportunities for Philippine exporters to showcase the country’s growing trade potential.
Held at the Megatrade Halls in SM Megamall in Mandaluyong City, the five-day event gathered 237 exporters and export-ready companies across seven major product clusters.
Under the theme ‘Navigating Uncertainties, Seizing Opportunities’, Secretary Roque cited the fair as a launchpad for Filipino enterprises to present export-ready products, build trade connections and access government support for international expansion.
In a statement before the event, she highlighted the human impact behind the trade expo’s economic gains, emphasizing that every item shipped overseas represents hardworking Filipino families, factories and communities.
“International shipments bring vital revenue (. . .), fuel job creation, strengthen domestic industries and build a resilient economy,” Roque pointed out.
“A major driver of the event’s financial success was its business-matching component, which facilitated nearly 200 one-on-one meetings between exhibitors and 73 institutional buyers, including retail consolidators, supermarket chains and retail stores, and foreign trade representatives seeking long-term supply partnerships,” she added.
Halal-certified and coconut-based goods were major highlights of the exhibition. Forty halal-supported exhibitors generated ₱34.23 million in sales, while 33 businesses backed by the Coconut Farmers and Industry Development Plan (CFIDP) accounted for ₱29.22 million. Dedicated display spaces also spotlighted emerging high-value crops, including ube, pili, and calamansi.
ia/xf
