CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY — Four small businesses from Northern Mindanao brought home about ₱7.4 million in negotiated sales and more than ₱191,000 in cash sales after joining an international trade expo in China. 

The businesses showcased locally made products at the 23rd China-ASEAN Expo (CAEXPO) 2026 in Nanning, Guangxi, from Sept. 17 to 21, according to the Department of Trade and Industry-10 (DTI-10). 

Two exhibitors said they sold all the products they brought to the event. These were Laregina Coconut Products Manufacturing of Lanao del Norte and Alayon Multi-Purpose Cooperative of Misamis Oriental. 

Laregina makes coconut-based hair serums, shampoos, and body soaps, while Alayon produces items from coconut wood, including plaques. 

The two were joined by Oro Handmade Innovations Inc. and Dolce de Oro Manufacturing Inc., both from Misamis Oriental. 

Their participation gave the businesses a chance to present their products to potential buyers outside the Philippines. They also joined business-to-business meetings and learned about consumer preferences and market trends. 

Laregina, Alayon, and Oro Handmade displayed their products at the Coconut Pavilion under the DTI's Coconut Farmers and Industry Development Plan (CFIDP). Dolce de Oro exhibited at the Philippine Commodity Hall's Regular Pavilion through the One Town, One Product (OTOP) program. 

For Alayon, the experience went beyond selling products. 

Cyrel Rose Portes Rubio, the cooperative's business development officer, said the expo helped them learn from other exhibitors, build connections, and see new possibilities for their products. 

“CAEXPO was not only about showcasing and selling our products. It was also about learning, connecting, getting new ideas, and seeing the bigger potential of our locally made products,” Rubio said. 

She also thanked the DTI and those behind the CFIDP for making the participation possible, saying it gave the cooperative an opportunity it had never imagined reaching.

The expo drew more than 3,400 companies from China and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), according to the report. 

Philippine Ambassador to China Jaime Florcruz said the Philippines was named Country of Honor, with 313 participants from 73 enterprises presenting products, tourism, and services. 

He described it as the country's largest delegation to the expo since 2004. 

The Philippine delegation represented several industries, including food, agriculture, fashion, home products, personal care, and tourism. 

Trade Secretary Cristina Roque said the DTI expected higher sales than in the previous year because of the country's larger participation. 

The CFIDP, funded through the Coconut Farmers and Industry Trust Fund, helps connect coconut enterprises with buyers through trade fairs and business matching. 

For Northern Mindanao's participating businesses, the sales deals offer a chance to reach more buyers and bring locally made products to a wider market.