Bicol Coconut Trade Fair Sparks Business Growth
LEGAZPI CITY — The Bicol Coconut Trade Fair has become a vital platform for local entrepreneurs, showcasing a diverse range of products from six provinces across the region. Organized by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), the event opened on Tuesday, featuring at least 41 vendors eager to promote their goods and expand their market reach.
Running for five days until August 23, the trade fair carries a sales target of P1.5 million. The event aims to support the growth of local businesses by connecting them with institutional buyers, ensuring continuous demand beyond the fair itself.
Empowering Entrepreneurs Through Year-Round Connections
Victor Emmanuel Castro, head of the DTI-5 business development division, emphasized that the fair’s purpose extends beyond immediate sales. “We want them to establish connections with institutional buyers, which will ensure that they can receive orders for their products throughout the year,” officials reported Castro saying.
This trade fair represents the culmination of DTI’s comprehensive support, which includes skills training, product innovation, and improved packaging. “Our support includes skills development, product development and improvements in labeling. We also offer ideas on how to enhance their products. The trade fair is the ultimate test of these interventions, providing them an opportunity to sell their products and increase their income,” community members noted Castro explaining.
Diverse Coconut-Based Products on Display
Visitors to the fair can explore a wide variety of coconut-based items. These include virgin coconut oil (VCO), VCO-based soaps, coco coir, orchid hangers, coconut wine, vinegar, flour, traditional delicacies, and accessories crafted from coconut materials. The array highlights the versatility of coconut and its value to local economies.
Direct Sales and Market Exposure Benefit Producers
Edwin Ariya from the Simawa Farmers’ Producers Cooperative shared his positive experience. “It is beneficial because when the finished product is ready and available in the market. It allows us to earn money and showcase our offerings. The more people who experience it, especially those who appreciate the aroma, the better,” sources said Ariya expressing.
Expanding Market Reach for Coconut Farmers
Sofia Juserhine Bucad, division chief of the Philippine Coconut Authority, expressed gratitude for the DTI’s efforts to enhance the coconut industry in Bicol. “I truly believe that the progress our coconut products have made for our farmers is significant. Previously, their market reach was limited, but now it has expanded globally. This has been the DTI’s greatest contribution in enhancing and broadening the market for coconut products,” local leaders noted Bucad stating.
For more news and updates on Bicol Coconut Trade Fair, visit Filipinokami.com.