DAVAO CITY —- Davao exports in the region posted a 12-percent increase with export shipments reaching $595.05 million, as of the third quarter of 2014 compared to $531.39 million during the same period in 2013, according to the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA)
Agricultural products remain the top export commodity in the region, including banana, coconut, pineapple, rubber, among others. Fresh or dried bananas, including plantains, remained the top export commodity of the region despite a five percent drop in shipments.
Total banana exports as of the third quarter of 2014 reached $242.91 million, lower compared to $255.67 million in the same period in 2013. All export figures are posted based on FOB prices (Free On Board) which does not include shipping costs.
Japan is still the top export destination for bananas with shipments totalling $93.65 million, followed by China ($62.76 million), South Korea ($23.51 million), United Arab Emirates (UAE) ($11.3 million), and Iran ($9.49 million).
Second is crude coconut oil with $112.18 million. Netherlands is the top export destination for coconut oil at $47.87 million, followed by United States ($42.02 million), Italy ($5.57 million), Indonesia ($5.42 million), and China ($4.07 million).
Coming third among the top three most exported products from the region is desiccated coconut at $35.72 million. The United States is the top export destination of this commodity with a FOB value of $6.53 million, followed by United Kingdom ($4.19 million), China ($3.52 million), Netherlands ($3.46 million), and Russia ($2.29 million).
Among the fourth most exported commodities are fresh and dried pineapples at $26.78 million, with Japan ($10.51 million), South Korea ($3.62 million), UAE ($3.12 million), Singapore ($2.77 million), and China ($2.72 million) as the top export destinations.
Other fruits — like lychees, longans, jackfruit, mangoes, among others — including mixtures, prepared or preserved, containing added sugar or other sweetening ingredients are the fifth most exported commodity with $21.1 million. China ($4.09 million), Vietnam ($2.52 million), United States ($2.16 million), Germany ($1.73 million), and Japan ($1.58 million) as the top export destinations.
Also part of the top ten most exported commodities from Davao Region are: other food preparations not elsewhere specified or included ($17.79 million); coconut oil and its fractions ($17.27 million); activated carbon of coconut shell based ($15.89 million); natural rubber in other forms ($12.41 million); and raw sugar cane ($7.71 million).
(Reuel John Lumawag / PSA/ SUN STAR DAVAO)
Philippine Export Times 