The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) said it expects agriculture to help boost export growth via high-value, in-demand goods like coconut oil and purple yam (ube), BusinessWorld reported.
Trade Secretary Maria Cristina A. Roque noted that the latest export data highlight Philippine exporters’ competitiveness even in the face of global headwinds. The DTI is counting on agricultural products to contribute significantly to overall export growth, leveraging the country's strengths in producing items with strong international demand.
The push comes as the Philippines seeks to diversify its export basket and reduce dependence on traditional electronics and semiconductors. Coconut oil and ube represent opportunities to tap into global markets for natural and organic food products, which have seen rising consumer interest.