• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
Negrense enterprises generated a combined P118 million in sales during the 40th Negros Trade Fair (Butlak 2026), with direct consumer purchases surging 39 percent from the previous staging.
Organized by the Association of Negros Producers (ANP) in partnership with the provincial government of Negros Occidental and the SM Group, the six-day trade fair ran from Sept. 22 to 27 at the SMX Convention Center, SM Aura Premier in Taguig City.
In a statement, ANP said the spot sales reached P75 million, up from P54 million previously, translating to a P21-million increase in direct consumer purchases.
Some P43 million came from business-to-business transactions involving corporate and institutional buyers, retailers, and distributors.
The milestone 40th edition featured Negrense entrepreneurs, artisans, food producers and creative enterprises, giving their products wider exposure in the Metro Manila market.
According to ANP, the strong performance highlights the expanding commercial reach and rising competitiveness of Negros-based entrepreneurs, artisans, food producers, and creative designers.
By blending traditional craftsmanship with modern innovation, it added that 40th NTF Butlak 2026 successfully reinforced the position of Negrense products as major players in the national retail and institutional markets. | GPB
