Coconut remains Mindanao’s top agricultural product over the past five years, according to the Mindanao in Figures 2024 report released by the Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA).
From 2019 to 2023, coconut production reached 44.6 million metric tons (MT), solidifying its reputation as the island’s “tree of life.” Despite a slight dip last year—8.96 million MT in 2023 from 9.01 million MT in 2022—coconut stayed firmly at the top among Mindanao’s major crops.
Banana followed closely with 38.22 million MT, while palay, sugarcane, and corn rounded out the top five. At the bottom of the list was cacao, with just 44,157 MT produced over the same period.
In total, Mindanao’s 13 major crops produced 176.94 million MT in five years.
Banana Leads as Mindanao’s Top Export
While coconut dominates in production, banana took the lead as Mindanao’s top export in 2023. Data showed that fresh and dried banana exports, including plantain, earned a Free on Board (FOB) value of US$1.22 billion. Coconut exports followed with $920.37 million.
Mindanao’s top exports also included metallic minerals and other non-agricultural products. FOB refers to the shipping agreement that determines who bears responsibility for goods during transport—either the buyer or seller, depending on the terms.
Scaling Up for Global Markets
For MinDA, the challenge now is boosting Mindanao’s presence in global markets. Assistant Secretary Romeo Montenegro said improving production alone isn’t enough—Mindanao’s agribusiness sector must scale up and meet international standards.
“To elevate our global competitiveness, we must improve our economies of scale, similar to what countries like Thailand and Singapore have done,” Montenegro said.
He stressed that MinDA remains focused on strengthening agriculture through agribusiness development, value chain integration, and sustainable coastal resource management.
