DAVAO CITY — Buyers from Malaysia and Taiwan are expected to participate in the month-long Kadayawan Agri-Trade Fair 2019, which opened August 1 at the SM City annex grounds.

Vicky C. Jimenez of the Mindanao Garden Club Inc., this year’s fair organizer, said buyers from Malaysia have expressed interest in Tillandsia, an air plant abundantly produced by garden shops here.

“Malaysians are particular on Tillandsia. It’s very easy to import because it does not need soil and needs less maintenance and is easy to propagate,” she said.

Ms. Jimenez said the fair hopes to assist Malaysian buyers in importing the plants.

A group of fruit growers from Taiwan are also expected to sample fruits in season such as pomelo, durian, mangosteen, and rambutan.

“We are expecting more visitors this year. We just came back from Thailand and we have invited guests from there and they confirmed that they are coming. Ang aming (Our) buyers, especially during Kadayawan, are foreign tourists, who mostly buy plants,” she said.

Ben C. Gallego, president of the Mindanao Garden Club, said organizers are hoping to negotiate for more space for the fair SM City, which provided space for 400 stalls.

“If hindi kami madagdagan ng (we cannot get more) space, we will reduce some of the (stall) spaces to accommodate (more participants), from the big to the small members,” Mr. Gallego said.

The agri-trade fair is one of the regular highlights of the annual Kadayawan Festival, held during August, peak season for the region’s fruits. — Maya M. Padillo

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