Local food products in Cebu drive P9.8M in Capitol trade fair sales

LAPU-LAPU CITY, Cebu — A range of food and agricultural products from across Cebu helped generate P9.8 million in sales during a weeklong trade fair at the Cebu Provincial Capitol.

The Tabo sa Kapitolyo: Agri-Fisheries Trade Fair 2026, held from August 3 to 9, brought together farmers, fisherfolk, food producers, and other local sellers to showcase and sell their products directly to consumers.

Cebu provincial agriculturist Roldan Saragena said the combination of competitive prices and the quality of local products helped attract buyers throughout the event.

“Dili nato kalimtan, quality pod ang atong mga produkto, presko, unya barato (Our products are of good quality, fresh, and affordable),” Saragena said.

He noted how the exhibitors agreed to offer lower prices partly because local government exhibitors did not have to pay participation fees for the event.

Saragena also pointed to the trade fair’s new location at Parking Lot 1 beside the Heritage Park was a factor in the strong turnout.

The larger site inside the Capitol compound provided a more accessible space for both exhibitors and shoppers, he said.

Cebu products on display

The seven-day fair drew 52 local government units, consisting of Cebu’s 44 municipalities, six component cities, and the highly urbanized cities of Cebu and Mandaue.

Another 16 private exhibitors participated, bringing the total number of exhibitors to 68.

The displays offered a range of products from different parts of the province, including dragonfruit goods from Liloan, cassava products from Camotes, humba from Ronda, and dried fish from Bantayan.

Borbon also showcased its tuba ice cream, while other exhibitors sold fresh fruits, vegetables, and crops produced in various Cebu municipalities.

Local government exhibitors posted a combined sales total of slightly more than P7 million, with 30 LGUs earning at least six figures during the fair.

Private exhibitors accounted for another P2.8 million in sales.

Liloan recorded the highest sales among the LGUs at P442,569, followed by Tudela with P327,141 and Argao with P281,045.

Santa Fe ranked fourth with P263,380, while Cordova placed fifth with P260,175.

Saragena said Governor Pamela Baricuatro has asked the Provincial Agriculture Office to prepare for a larger trade fair as part of the Pasko sa Kapitolyo celebration in December.

He earlier said income from the event could help producers finance their next cropping season while also giving them opportunities to build relationships with potential buyers.

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