Cagayan de Oro’s strategic location and rich agricultural resources have made it the preferred site of major agribusiness companies such as Del Monte Philippines, Nestle Philippines, Pilipinas Kao, and other small and medium agri-based industries. As the gateway to Southern Philippines, Cagayan de Oro provides direct access to rich agricultural areas of Mindanao, source of 40% of the country’s food and livestock. It is a significant producer of oleochemical and other coconut products.
Higher-value products through agro-processing offer investment opportunities. Presently, Northern Mindanao is the top producer of cattle and is the third largest producer of poultry in the country.
Top ten export commodities of Northern Mindanao
A vital growth corridor in Southern Philippines, the deep water harbor of Macajalar Bay provided the impetus for Cagayan de Oro to be the preferred site of major agribusiness companies such as Del Monte Philippines, Nestle Philippines, Pilipinas Kao and other small and medium agri-based industries.
The city’s port infrastructure enabled port oriented industries to be established in the city and its vicinity. Northern Mindanao’s major export commodities come from the region’s major agricultural products, most of which are processed in Cagayan de Oro and exported out of its ports. The top commodity exports are oleochemicals, coconut oil, canned and fresh pineapple, copra solvent and expeller, desiccated coconut, fresh bananas, abaca, lumber, and sintered ore.
Comparative Volume of Production of Livestock and Poultry in Northern Mindanao (in metric tons)
The benign climate of Bukidnon coupled with the presence of sea, land and air logistics in Cagayan de Oro has made Northern Mindanao an ideal location for raising poultry and livestock. It therefore comes as no surprise that the region is the third highest producer of poultry in the country with a sufficiency level of 393%. While it is the fifth highest in hog production, it is the top producer of cattle and is the only producer of wagyu beef.
PRODUCTION VOLUME OF SELECTED CROPS (in metric tons)
The plateaus of Bukidnon and Misamis Oriental are known for the cultivation of temperate and semi-temperate vegetables. In 2012, Northern Mindanao produced 107,325 metric tons of vegetables from 8,621 hectares.
INVESTMENT OPPORTUNITIES
Higher-value products through agro processing offer investment opportunities. The city government has identified among its priority projects the establishment of triple-A slaughterhouses for poultry and hogs, meat fabrication facilities for hogs and cattle, and fruit and vegetable processing plants.