The Market Monitor Minding the Nation's Business
AGRIBUSINESS startups are keen on exporting value-added products in Singapore, a desire expressed during the Asia Pacific Agrifood Innovation Summit 2026 held at the Suntec Convention Centre.
Supported by the DA’s Young Farmers Challenge (YFC), the enterprises showcased value-added agricultural products and solutions with the help from the Agribusiness and Marketing Assistance Service of the Department of Agriculture in collaboration with the Philippine Agriculture Office in Bangkok, Thailand.
The five startups represented different ways of turning local agricultural resources into higher-value products.
Beyond promoting their brands, the DA noted that the startups had opportunities to network with entrepreneurs, industry representatives and potential business partners from across the Asia-Pacific region.
DA Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. outlined the country’s efforts to modernize agricultural value chains through resilience, investment, data-driven governance, inclusive development and collaboration across government and industry, reported Business Mirror.
“We also brought young Filipino agripreneurs to the Singapore event to introduce them to a wider market, and expose them to innovations and fresh ideas they can bring home, adapt and develop into viable businesses that create jobs and attract more investment in agriculture.”
The DA also organized the “Innovating Agriculture: Young Farmers Challenge Pitching Showcase,” where participating enterprises presented their business models and products at the summit’s Innovation Stage.
DA Assistant Secretary Genevieve Velicaria-Guevarra said young agripreneurs were finding ways to add value to local resources, develop sustainable solutions, and connect Philippine agriculture to regional and global markets.
“The showcase reflects a broader policy challenge for Philippine agriculture. Raising production remains important, but improving processing, product development and market access is just as critical to increasing the value farmers and agribusinesses earn from local resources.”
Through the YFC, the DA aims to help young Filipinos establish and expand market-oriented ventures in agriculture and fisheries.
Bringing these enterprises to an international platform also exposes them to commercial networks and ideas that could help turn promising startups into competitive businesses, it added.