Kahimunan Trade Fair Drives PHP45.7 Million in Sales and Business Opportunities

Northern Mindanao’s micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) recorded more than PHP45.7 million in sales and potential business deals during the Kahimunan Regional Trade Fair 2026, held in Cagayan de Oro City from August 25 to 31.

Organized by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Region 10, the annual trade promotion event provided 111 MSMEs with opportunities to reach new customers, strengthen their brands, and connect with institutional buyers.

The weeklong event generated PHP39,963,745 in cash and booked sales, while another PHP5,762,996 worth of potential transactions remained under negotiation.

The results highlight the growing demand for products made by entrepreneurs across Northern Mindanao and the importance of trade fairs in helping local businesses expand beyond their existing markets.

Northern Mindanao Products Take Center Stage

A total of 78 MSMEs operated booths at the trade fair, showcasing a diverse selection of food and non-food products from across the region.

Visitors and buyers could discover locally produced:

• Coffee and cacao products
• Processed fruits and nuts
• Snacks and specialty food products
• Condiments and seasonings
• Wearable products
• Home and lifestyle décor
• Bamboo products
• Coconut-based products
• Other sustainable goods

The range of products reflected Northern Mindanao’s agricultural resources, creative industries, and growing sustainable-product sector.

For participating entrepreneurs, the fair offered a direct way to introduce their products to consumers while gaining valuable exposure in Cagayan de Oro, one of the region’s major commercial centers.

Business Matching Opens New Market Opportunities

The Kahimunan program also focused on connecting MSMEs with larger institutional buyers.

Before the main trade fair opened, 33 MSMEs participated in a business-to-business matching activity on August 19. The initiative gave entrepreneurs an opportunity to present their products, discuss potential partnerships, and explore larger-scale supply arrangements.

Business matching can be particularly valuable for small enterprises looking to move beyond retail customers. Institutional contracts can provide opportunities for recurring orders and wider distribution, helping businesses build more sustainable revenue streams.

MSMEs Gain Digital and Export Training

The participating businesses also received practical training designed to help them improve their operations and prepare for broader markets.

Sessions conducted with GCash, Maya and Airspeed covered digital financial tools, payment terminal solutions and export logistics.

These sessions introduced entrepreneurs to tools that can help simplify payment collection, improve transaction efficiency, and prepare products for distribution outside their immediate market.

For MSMEs looking to scale, access to these tools can be as important as exposure at a trade fair. Robust payment systems and logistics expertise can help businesses manage larger orders and reach customers across the Philippines and potentially overseas.

First-Time Exhibitor Highlights Calamansi Juice Business

For Priscilla Maghanoy of Pem’s Food Product, participating in Kahimunan marked an important milestone for her business.

As a first-time exhibitor, Maghanoy used the event to promote her ready-to-drink calamansi juice to consumers in Cagayan de Oro.

She had previously participated in DTI programs focused on marketing and business operations. Despite these efforts, reaching a broader customer base remained one of her biggest challenges.

The Kahimunan trade fair gave her an opportunity to introduce her product directly to a new market and gain greater visibility for her business.

“Thank you kaayo sa DTI nga nag-organize aning Kahimunan. Privilege namo nga na-introduce, nailhan amo product diri sa Cagayan,” Maghanoy said.

Her experience illustrates how regional trade fairs can provide small businesses with opportunities that are difficult to achieve through traditional marketing alone.

Supporting the Growth of Northern Mindanao Businesses

The success of the Kahimunan Regional Trade Fair 2026 demonstrates the potential of trade promotion programs to create tangible opportunities for local entrepreneurs.

With more than PHP45.7 million in combined sales and potential deals, the event helped participating MSMEs gain market exposure, meet potential institutional customers, and strengthen their business capabilities.

DTI Region 10 continues to use initiatives such as Kahimunan to create additional market channels for Northern Mindanao businesses. By combining consumer exposure, business matching, and practical training, the program provides local entrepreneurs with more tools to grow and reach a wider audience.

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