DAVAO-BASED Kapalong Cooperative successfully shipped six tons of cacao beans to New Zealand on June 30, 2026, through its partner, Rautini, a New Zealand-owned social enterprise. The shipment represents a significant milestone for local farmers, demonstrating their capacity to compete internationally.
Strategic Networking Leads to Export Deal
Macario D. Gonzaga, executive regional director of the Department of Agriculture-Davao Region (DA-Davao), attributed the breakthrough to strategic networking and international linkages established during the National Cacao Congress in 2025. He emphasized that the transaction proves local farmers can thrive in the global market with adequate support.
“This shipment is a powerful testament to the cooperative's slogan, 'empowering lives and communities,' changing it from a vision statement into a living, breathing reality for our local farming families,” Gonzaga said.
Support from PRDP and Government Programs
Jerald S. Javison, value chain manager of Kapalong Cooperative, credited the Philippine Rural Development Project–Rural Enterprises and Agricultural Productivity (PRDP I-Reap) intervention for helping establish sustainable market linkages. The program aims to enhance production capacity and global market competitiveness for agricultural cooperatives.
“Kapalong Cooperative is a major beneficiary and partner of the DA-PRDP, helping the organization transition from a struggling cooperative to a highly profitable entity,” Javison said.
Send-Off Ceremony and Future Prospects
The send-off ceremony at Panabo Port was attended by regional agricultural leaders. Gonzaga thanked Rautini for investing in Mindanao’s agricultural products and expressed hope that this shipment would pave the way for more international exports of Filipino agricultural goods.
Rautini operates across the Asia-Pacific region, implementing projects that enhance farm returns and provide direct market access. Its partnership with Kapalong Cooperative connects local processors with New Zealand’s stringent food safety and premium-quality standards.
Background and Investment
In 2014, Kapalong Cooperative received a P24.8-million Cacao Production and Beans Marketing enterprise subproject under PRDP. The funding provided production inputs, fermentation and drying facilities, and hauling trucks.
According to the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), the Davao Region produced 7,807 metric tons (MT) of cacao (dried beans with pulp) in 2024, accounting for 72 percent of the Philippines’ total cacao production, maintaining its position as the country’s leading cacao producer.
