The Department of Agriculture (DA) and DALI Everyday Grocery are exploring a partnership that could give Filipino farmers a direct and expanding market for their produce while opening greater opportunities for contract growing, following a recent meeting between Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. and DALI board director Thirdie Icasas.
Tiu Laurel said he was happy with the productive discussion with Icasas, which focused on connecting DALI’s rapidly expanding grocery network with local farmers and cooperatives.
“I am pleased with the outcome of our meeting because DALI can provide a ready market for our local farm products and potentially become a contract-growing partner for our farmers. This can help give them more stable markets, encourage them to produce more, and ultimately raise their incomes,” the agriculture chief said.
Assistant Secretary for Agribusiness, Marketing and Consumer Affairs Atty. Genevieve Velicaria-Guevarra said the potential partnership could create more direct market opportunities for vegetable farmers, particularly those producing in highland and lowland areas.
“This partnership between the DA and DALI will have a positive impact on our farmers by opening more market opportunities, particularly for our highland and lowland vegetable farmers.”
“This partnership between the DA and DALI will have a positive impact on our farmers by opening more market opportunities, particularly for our highland and lowland vegetable farmers. Through this partnership, they can have more direct access to DALI as a market for their produce,” Velicaria-Guevarra said.
The meeting highlighted DALI’s potential as a major private-sector buyer as the retailer expands its footprint nationwide.
The company reported having 1,403 stores serving more than 10 million customers a month and opening roughly one store a day.
DALI is targeting 1,600 stores by the end of 2026 and has mapped an expansion program toward 16,000 stores by 2035.
DALI, which follows a neighborhood-store model focused on basic necessities and a limited assortment, said it wants to maximize the farm-to-customer supply chain. Its first major agricultural sourcing initiative involved potatoes, with the company seeking to support farmers while developing direct supply relationships.
The retailer is also looking for reliable cooperatives and farmer groups that can supply highland and, increasingly, lowland vegetables.
“DALI is considering warehouses near Benguet and Pangasinan, allowing produce to be consolidated closer to farms before being shipped to its Metro Manila stores.”
Icasas said DALI is considering warehouses near Benguet and Pangasinan, allowing produce to be consolidated closer to farms before being shipped to its Metro Manila stores.
Tiu Laurel directed the DA to immediately help connect DALI with reliable cooperatives.
Discussions also covered the development of DA food hubs, including the planned 46-hectare Clark Food Hub and facilities being considered in Tiaong, Quezon; Lipa, Batangas; Manolo Fortich; and Cebu.
Cold-storage facilities, including one planned near the Benguet Agri-Pinoy Trading Center, could further support DALI’s sourcing and distribution requirements.
DALI also raised questions on importing apples, garlic and pears, which it began sourcing overseas in June. The company sought DA assistance on import clearances and tariffs, while the secretary said DA staff had worked on documentation to lower a tariff from as high as 40 percent to 10 percent.
The discussions underscore the potential for closer public-private cooperation linking farmers directly to a growing retail market while strengthening supply chains and reducing reliance on middlemen.
