March 06, 2026
The Philippines is further etching its name in the global banana market with the steady rise of its exports of Cardava banana-based products, especially banana chips.
The Philippines has long been one of the top global 3 suppliers of bananas, according to the United Nations’ Food and Agriculture Organization (UN-FAO). The natural endowments of the country, such as a tropical climate and fertile soil, make it conducive to cultivating the prized yellow fruit. This comparative advantage allows the country to grow different types of bananas and become one of the top five exporters of Cavendish bananas for over three decades.
In recent years, the growing demand abroad for other banana varieties as well as value-added banana products has encouraged Filipino banana growers to diversify their cultivations, expanding Philippine banana export portfolio today.
One variety that is continuously carving its niche in the Philippines is Cardava banana, locally known as saba.
Saba (cardava banana) stands out among other varieties because it has the highest nutrient content, particularly potassium and dietary fiber. This makes it an ideal option for health-conscious consumers.
And these health benefits can be enjoyed by consumers in various ways given saba banana’s versatility as a food commodity. Whether it be an appetizer, main dish, dessert or just as plain saba, people can enjoy it however they please.
This two-pronged characteristic of saba - health benefits and versatility - drives its growing demand in the global market.
One of the most exported Cardava-banana based products is banana chips. The European Union alone is estimated to have a demand for banana chips of almost 71,000 metric tons annually, according to the Department of Agriculture’s (DA) Philippine Banana Industry Roadmap.
In 2024 alone, the country’s banana chips exports reached over 53,000 metric tons of banana chips worth US$110.79 million, based on Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) data. Volume wise, it grew by around eight percent from the 49,426 metric tons exported to the world in 2023 and 5.8 percent higher on an annual basis in terms of value.
The country’s top three markets for banana chips in 2024 in terms of value were China at US$38.58 million, United States of America at US$19.49 million, and Germany at US$10.58 million, indicating the robust demand for the product by huge economies.
Small and medium enterprises like Three Sisters Homemade Banana Chips and Aisha-Fil Foods Incorporated, both exhibitors at IFEX Philippines 2025, have seized opportunities as a result of the boom in global demand for Cardava banana-based products.
These two enterprises also support farmers by directly sourcing their raw materials from local farms in their respective provinces. Three Sisters Homemade Banana Chips is based in Marinduque, while Aisha-Fil Foods Incorporated is in Bacolod.
This increase in raw material demand by Filipino banana chip makers has allowed farmers to have a stable market and earn more income.
Banana farmers in Mindanao, for instance, are now able to actively move in the international market value chain as they supply their raw bananas or products to consolidators or banana chip manufacturers, respectively.
In June 2025, farmers in Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) supplied 10 metric tons of saba to See’s International Food Manufacturing Corporation for the company’s banana chips production.
In the same month, some 1,540 boxes or around 20 metric tons of saba were exported to Saudi Arabia by GERB Golden Hands Corporation, a result of the company's participation through the DA in AGRA Middle East in Dubai, UAE last year.
Opportunities for Filipino food MSMEs and banana farmers will continue to rise as the demand for healthy food products across the globe remains. One of these occasions is the upcoming IFEX Philippines on May 21–23, 2026, where the best Filipino and Asian food and ingredients will come together for the best sourcing experience, offering a premier platform for local producers to scale their reach and secure their place in the international market. Visit IFEXConnect to learn more.
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Banner caption: The cardava is among the Philippine banana varieties readily available in local supermarkets highly benefiting from today’s global demand.
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