DAVAO CITY, Philippines — The Saudi Arabian market is opening its doors wider to Philippine-grown produce, with chayote and sweet potato now joining bananas and singkamas in a growing stream of agricultural exports from the Davao Region to Jeddah.
The latest shipment, sent off from Sto. Tomas, Davao del Norte on August 26, signals more than just another overseas delivery. For local farmers and agribusinesses, it could be an encouraging sign that international buyers are beginning to look beyond the Philippines’ traditional export products.
The Department of Agriculture in the Davao Region said the new batch includes chayote, sweet potato, Cardava bananas and singkamas, expanding the range of products being supplied to a buyer in Jeddah.
A Growing Market, Not a One-Time Deal
The latest export shipment builds on a market connection established earlier this year.
On July 24, the DA facilitated an earlier shipment of Davao-grown Cardava bananas, sweet potatoes and singkamas to Saudi Arabia. That initial shipment weighed 17.2 metric tons, contained 1,450 boxes, and was valued at around P800,000, according to government and media reports.
The earlier cargo was exported by GERB Golden Hands Corp. of Sto. Tomas, Davao del Norte and was bound for a commercial buyer in Jeddah.
Now, the addition of chayote to the product lineup suggests that the relationship is expanding as overseas buyers gain confidence in the quality, consistency and supply capability of Davao’s agricultural sector.
DA-Davao Regional Executive Director Macario Gonzaga said international trade promotion can create real market opportunities for farmers and exporters—not just publicity.
The export connection itself can be traced back to the AGRA Middle East Exhibition 2024 in Dubai, where Davao agricultural products were introduced to potential international buyers. What began as conversations at a trade exhibition has since developed into actual commercial shipments.
Why This Matters for Davao Farmers
The expansion comes at a significant time for the country’s agricultural export sector.
Latest Philippine Statistics Authority data show that the country’s agricultural exports reached $706.92 million in June 2026, although this was 3.6% lower than the same month a year earlier. Against that backdrop, finding new buyers and expanding product offerings in overseas markets could become increasingly important for Philippine producers.
For Davao, the supply base for these products is substantial. PSA data released this week showed that the region produced nearly 28,000 metric tons of vegetables and root crops in the first quarter of 2026.
Sweet potato, or camote, ranked as the region’s second-largest vegetable and root crop by production volume, accounting for nearly 2,915 metric tons during the quarter. In Davao de Oro, meanwhile, both camote and chayote were among the area’s leading crops.
That means the Saudi opportunity is not simply about shipping a few boxes overseas—it has the potential to connect crops already being grown across the region with new and potentially more stable markets abroad.
Saudi Arabia Is Becoming a Bigger Destination for Davao Produce
The recent shipments are also part of a broader push to diversify Davao’s export destinations.
Earlier this year, Davao also shipped pineapples to Saudi Arabia, while other agricultural products from the region—including Cardava bananas and premium cacao—have found markets in countries such as New Zealand.
For farmers, exporters and government officials, the message is increasingly clear: Davao’s agricultural future may not depend solely on traditional markets.
The challenge now will be turning initial shipments into regular, sustainable export orders—and ensuring that farmers can consistently meet international standards for quality, volume and supply.
If that happens, the humble chayote and camote now heading to Jeddah could represent something much bigger: a new chapter for Davao agriculture, where more Filipino-grown products find a permanent place on tables far beyond the Philippines.
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