The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) is eyeing PHP2.5 million in sales from a four-day trade fair of coconut-based and other local products from different parts of Eastern Visayas.

The trade fair that kicked off Friday showcases 30 beneficiaries of the Coconut Farmers and Industry Development Program (CFIDP) and 26 other assisted micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in the region.

“This will promote (the) production of high-value coconut products in the region through the CFIDP. The program aims to increase overall productivity and income of coconut farmers by providing research, marketing, and marketing promotion of local coconut products,” DTI 8 (Eastern Visayas) Director Celerina Bato said during the opening at Robinsons Place Tacloban.

Among the products presented at the fair are virgin coconut oil (VCO), VCO-based soap, coco coir – orchid hangers, pole ladders, and logs, coco wine, coco vinegar, coco flour, desiccated coconut, and coconut-based native delicacies.

Philippine Coconut Authority 8 manager Joel Pilapil said supporting the development of more coconut-based products has encouraged more coconut farmers to venture into the production of other products.

“We are happy that some of our farmers have been learning to produce value-added products from coconut. In the region, the most common product is copra, but the trading price fluctuates because the domestic copra price is dependent (on) the coconut oil price in the global market,” Pilapil added.

Also available in the fair that will run until October 17 are green banana flour, turmeric tea, Robusta coffee, calamansi concentrate, plant-based chips, and other traditional delicacies.

There are also functional handicrafts from locally sourced coconut, bamboo, rattan, nito, and romblon.

The marketing event is dubbed Bahandi Coconut Expo.

Bahandi, the local term for wealth, is a regular trade fair organized by the DTI in malls based in the National Capital Region and this city. (PNA)