The Market Monitor Minding the Nation's Business
By DIEGO C. CAGAHASTIAN
The Philippine peso continues its struggle to attain a semblance of stability, falling to its historical low of 64.17 to one US dollar, then recovering somewhat to 64.025 after a couple of days.
President Bongbong Marcos issued an assurance that Filipinos should not panic because the government has many options and tools in its cabinet that could be used to defend the peso. But this hardly made a dent in trying to assuage the anxiety of most citizens and consumers, as they head for the supermarket for their groceries, and finding that prices have increased some more.
Economists and political observers are one in saying that more and sustained dollar remittances from our OFWs are needed, but working against this option is the ongoing war in West Asia, and the very real possibility that Donald Trump will reignite this into escalation once the US elections are over.
Another option is to ramp up export receipts, since Filipino exporters are the ones earning dollars, aside from the Filipino workers abroad.
In the matter of exports, every new positive development is welcome news.
It was reported recently that the Philippine delegation secured $17.5 million in total export sales at Asia Fruit Logistica (AFL) 2026 in Hong Kong in September, the Department of Agriculture (DA) said.
The DA said the booked and negotiated sales came from Cavendish and Cardava (saba) bananas, durian, mangoes, and dragon fruit.
The Philippines exports edible fruits and nuts, including citrus fruit and melon peels, accounted for $329.72 million, or 37% of the country’s total agricultural exports.
“Every new export market we open is another opportunity for Filipino farmers and agribusinesses to compete on the world stage,” Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. said.
“Our goal is not simply to sell more Philippine produce, but to build lasting partnerships, meet the exacting standards of international buyers, and ensure that the benefits of export growth reach the people who grow our food,” he added. “The world is ready to discover more of what the Philippines can offer, and we intend to make that opportunity count.”
The Philippine delegation, composed of local fruit producers and growers, marked the country’s return to the trade show after nearly a decade.
“The impressive outcome of our sales projections proves that Philippine high-value export crops remain among the most sought-after produce in international markets,” said Philip Young, undersecretary for high-value export crops and agri-fishery export development and promotion.
Through coordinated efforts with private-sector partners and industry associations, the delegation secured long-term commercial agreements and established opportunities for local farmers and exporters to expand their presence in global markets, Young added.
The Philippines ended 2025 with a narrower agricultural trade deficit, as farm exports—led by tropical fruits—increased while imports softened.
While the agriculture and trade sectors are trying to score gains by trading with China, Hong Kong and Macau, certain officials like defense secretary Gibo Teodoro, Jay Tarriela, Senators Risa Hontiveros, Erwin and Raffy Tulfo and Kiko Pangilinan are fighting China to line up their pockets and shore up their political capital—unmindful of the fact that they are stifling economic growth and job opportunities of Filipinos.