The first 18-tonne shipment has arrived, with fresh deliveries expected every two weeks.
Dubai: A fresh shipment of 18 tonnes of Philippine MD2 pineapples has arrived in the Emirates, marking the start of regular deliveries aimed at meeting rising demand for tropical fruit in the UAE.
The shipment, consisting of 1,500 boxes of pineapples grown in South Cotabato in the southern Philippines, arrived at the Port of Khorfakkan on June 25 before being transported to Dubai two days later for distribution across the UAE.
Its arrival was welcomed at the Al Aweer Fruit and Vegetable Market in Ras Al Khor Industrial Area 3, one of Dubai’s key wholesale markets for fresh produce.
Why this shipment matters
While Philippine bananas and mangoes are already familiar to shoppers in the UAE, exporters are now working to establish the country’s premium MD2 pineapples as a regular feature in the market.
MD2 is one of the world’s most popular export pineapple varieties, known for its naturally sweet flavour, bright golden flesh, and longer shelf life, making it well-suited for long-distance markets such as the UAE.
“The arrival marks another important milestone in the growing presence of premium Philippine fresh produce in the Middle East and reflects the increasing demand for high-quality Philippine tropical fruits in the region,” said the Philippine Embassy in the UAE in a statement.
It added, “Similar shipments are expected every two weeks, highlighting the strong market potential of Philippine pineapples and other high-value agricultural commodities in the Gulf region.”
Growing trade links
The latest consignment was organised by Mensch Fil-Am Trading, with Avante Agri-Products Philippines Inc. facilitating the shipment.
Mensch Fil-Am Corporation, a Davao-based exporter, ships a range of Philippine produce including MD2 pineapples, Cavendish bananas, mangoes, durian, pomelo, and other tropical fruits sourced from Mindanao.
In the Middle East, it partners with Octagon General Trading LLC in the UAE and Qutoop Trading Inc. in Saudi Arabia to distribute Philippine produce across the Gulf.
Officials mark arrival
The ceremonial launch was attended by Philippine ambassador Alfonso Ferdinand Ver, consul general Ambrosio Brian Enciso III, vice consul Kenneth Jimeno, trade commissioner Vychael Angelo Roaring, and agricultural attaché Michael Sollera, alongside representatives of Mensch Fil-Am Trading and Octagon General Trading LLC.
Philippine officials said the shipment reflects broader efforts to expand agricultural exports and strengthen trade ties with the UAE and the wider Middle East region.
For UAE consumers, the development could mean a more consistent supply of Philippine-grown MD2 pineapples in fruit markets and supermarkets as regular shipments get underway.
