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The Philippine Trade and Investment Centre-Dubai initiated Project Cocobridge in partnership with The Hub Trading and Logistics Services LLP SP under the Sharjah Cooperative Group to increase the presence of Philippine coconut brands across GCC retail channels. The project commenced on July 13, 2026, and encompasses three phases beginning with market readiness followed by business matching sessions on August 11 and 12 and concluding with retail activation and consumer engagement activities in December 2026. A memorandum of understanding formalizing the collaboration was signed on June 26 at PTIC-Dubai headquarters between Philippine Trade Commissioner Vichael Angelo Roaring and The Hub Managing Director Aurelio III Suzara German. Witnesses to the signing included Philippine Consul General in Dubai and the Northern Emirates Ambrosio Brian Enciso III along with Agriculture Attache Michael Sollera and several representatives from The Hub.
Roaring stated that Project Cocobridge was developed to address the gap between the Philippines’ position as one of the world’s leading coconut producers and the relatively limited presence of Philippine coconut brands in the UAE retail market. He added that the effort aims to go beyond traditional trade promotion by supporting Philippine coconut enterprises in market preparation, connecting them with UAE buyers and retailers, and facilitating commercial opportunities that can lead to sustained growth. Roaring noted that the UAE is a strategic market because of its strong retail and distribution infrastructure and its position as a gateway to the wider GCC market. The Philippine Coconut Authority established the overarching Coconut Farmers and Industry Development Plan in 1973 as the lead stakeholder for such initiatives.
The project aligns with the CFIDP 2024-2028 that amended an earlier version and features seven intervention measures designed to modernize the coconut industry. That plan receives support from the 2021 Coconut Farmers and Industry Trust Fund which manages multi-billion peso assets collected from levies on farmers since the 1970s. The Department of Trade and Industry Export Marketing Bureau and the Philippine Statistics Authority supplied export data indicating that global food-based coconut product shipments rose from 1.73 billion dollars in 2023 to 3.78 billion dollars in 2025. Gulf-bound exports contracted from 9.48 million dollars in 2023 to 3.21 million dollars in 2025 according to the same bodies.
January-to-May 2026 exports reached 1.70 billion dollars globally with Gulf countries accounting for 1.01 million dollars and the UAE specifically recording 478,182 dollars per the Department of Trade and Industry Export Marketing Bureau and Philippine Statistics Authority figures. Roaring said the challenge has been less about the country’s ability to produce coconut products and more about strengthening market access, brand visibility, market readiness, and direct connections with overseas buyers and consumers. He added that the Philippines has significant production capacity, processing capabilities, and experience in supplying a wide range of export-quality coconut products. Project Cocobridge initially targets 20 to 30 beneficiary brands under the CFIDP.
German said the UAE presents significant opportunities for Philippine coconut brands given its dynamic retail environment and strategic position as a gateway to the GCC market. He added that The Hub looks forward to supporting Philippine enterprises in navigating the market, building partnerships, and establishing a stronger presence in the region. Enciso said Project Cocobridge is an important step in bringing Philippine coconut products closer to the UAE market. The consul general added that the project ensures farmers and enterprises are better positioned to benefit from expanding trade opportunities.
The Philippine Coconut Authority data places the number of farming households dependent on the industry at roughly 20 million across the country. Authority assessments indicate that sustained export growth remains essential to raising rural incomes and modernizing processing capabilities for products including coconut water, virgin coconut oil, desiccated coconut and coconut sugar. PTIC-Dubai officials have framed the partnership with The Hub as a mechanism to translate production strength into measurable market gains within the GCC over the coming year.
