KORONADAL CITY — The Department of Agriculture Region 12 completed a trade mission to France and Belgium on Oct. 31, aiming to expand European market access for key agricultural exports from the SOCCSKSARGEN region.
Led by Regional Executive Director John Pascual, the delegation promoted regional commodities—including cacao, coffee, mango, and ube—through diplomatic briefings, business-to-business networking, and retail site visits across Paris and Brussels from Oct. 27 to 31.
The mission opened Oct. 27 with a meeting at the Philippine Embassy in Paris. Pascual and delegates met with Philippine Ambassador to France Eduardo Jose de Vega to discuss distribution linkages and commercial partnerships.
Local producers presented export-ready goods, including cacao from Don Ricardo’s Chocolates and Green Nurture Corp., coffee from Gacayan Enterprise–Sultan Coffee, and processed mangoes from the Cotabato Mango Producers Cooperative, an enterprise supported by the Philippine Rural Development Project.
Spearheaded by the agency's Agribusiness and Marketing Assistance Division, the delegation pitched products to European buyers and Filipino-owned commercial establishments in Paris, including Ali’s Store, Rollie’s Bakeshop, Place de Manille, Kuzeina, and Kanto.
Following recommendations from the Philippine agricultural attaché, the delegation extended its itinerary to Brussels to connect with distributors, specialty shops, and food service operators in neighboring European trade hubs.
DA Region 12 officials said the agency will begin direct follow-up operations with prospective buyers to assist with import regulatory compliance, streamline logistics, and establish long-term retail placement across Europe.
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