Caraga producers join national fairs in Manila and Davao City

By Ramil J. Leongas

BUTUAN CITY, Sept. 25 (PIA) - Ten (10) producers from the region joined two (2) national fairs held last month in Davao City and Manila.

Six (6) producers participated in the Mindanao Trade Expo during the Kadayawan sa Dabaw 2013 last August 10-15, 2013 bringing with them innovative renditions of footwear, gifts, housewares and decors (GHDs), and food products and supplements.  Ivory.07 Arts and Crafts had brisk sales of its water hyacinth footwear with its interesting and colorful designs, with one of its creations that drew attention during the expo’s fashion show.  Two malls of Davao City have also expressed interest in distributing the said company’s footwear line.

San Francisco Agsamcraft Weavers Association and San Isidro Farmers Association (of Las Nieves, ADN) brought out their best baskets, trays and other crafts made from indigenous agsam, rattan and nito.  Ever Lasting Golden Flower, Inc., with its lemongrass or “tanglad” products had the biggest cash sales among the region’s producers while food producers from Agusan del Sur also made considerable sales of their pastillas and pasalubong items.  Mercado’s Sudlanan Atbp showcased its boxes made of paper board and accented by abaca and water hyacinth.

Bad weather brought about by the “habagat” could not prevent the region’s four (4) participants to the National Food Fair 2013 from making substantial sales in the said event.  RIC-Dapdap Food Producers’ (of Barobo, Surigao del Sur) dried “danggit” and Magkiangkang MPC’s (of Bayugan City) “tableya” attracted a lot of attention from walk-in clients that they have sold out all their inventories.  Sunrise Corn Coffee’s 3-in-1 coffee fascinated buyers with its unique taste.  Institutional buyers looking for semi-processed materials also expressed interest with the Taguibo Organic Farmers Association’s turmeric (luyang dilaw) as well as with its salabat, wild honey and, corn and rice coffee.

Held in SM Megamall on August 21-25, 2013, the National Food Fair 2013 was organized by DTI’s Bureau of Domestic Trade in cooperation with the Department of Agriculture as part of its Sikat Pinoy Program.  With the theme “Piling-Piling Pagkaing Pilipino”, the activity aimed at showcasing Filipino delicacies from across the country.

Overall, the regional participants have sold more than 200,000 worth of products, booked almost 300,000 pesos worth of bulk orders and are following up orders under negotiation from different buyers worth more than 2 million pesos. (NCLM/DTI-Caraga/PIA-Caraga)