Stephen A. Antig, executive director of the Pilipino Banana Growers and Exporters Association, Inc. (PBGEA), told BusinessWorld that majority of its member companies plan to stick to the more convenient new private ports because the area around Sasa Port, which used to handle as much as 80% of total banana shipments, is congested and has no room for expansion.
“The congestion is not only happening at the port, the road leading to the port is also very much congested,” said Mr. Antig.
Aside from more than 20 private ports handling various cargo in Davao City, two new international-standard ports have recently been opened, with further development lined up, in the cities of Panabo and Tagum, both in Davao del Norte province.
Based on data from the Philippine Statistics Authority, banana was the second biggest agricultural export, next to coconut oil, with a value of $1.136 billion, up 18.06% from the previous year. The Davao Region accounts for about 95% of total exports.
“Our (banana) production areas are near the new ports, so why change our logistical support when it is very convenient for us,” Mr. Antig said.
