Phl food firms sell $53.4 M in Dubai trade fair

MANILA, Philippines -  Philippine food companies generated $53.4 million worth of sales at a recent food trade fair held in Dubai.

In a statement, the Center for International Trade Expositions and Missions (CITEM) said the sales came from orders received by 19 Philippine exhibitor-companies that participated in the Gulfood 2013.

“Among the best-selling Filipino products were Pampanga’s Best Halal-certified marinated meat items such as tocino (cured meat) and longanisa (sausage), Agrinurture’s fresh and frozen fruits and vegetables, Pixcel’s Florence brand food preserves, Gemfoods’ Dani’s buko salad, and Celebes’ organic Halal-certified coconut water, coconut milk and desiccated coconut and Brandexports Philippines’ consolidated ethnic food,” it said.

The Gulfood 2013, which was held from Feb. 25 to 28,  had a record of 4,200 exhibitors from 110 countries showcasing more than 50,000 brands across every sector of the food and beverage industry.

The trade fair is the world’s biggest annual food and hospitality show.

The participation in the Gulfood is part of the government’s continuing efforts to promote the country’s food products in the Middle East.

The Middle East is seen to be a gateway to the $632 billion international Halal food market.

Halal food is the prescribed dietary requirement for the world’s 1.8 billion Muslims, making up about 20 percent of the world’s entire food consumption.

Earlier, the Department of Trade and Industry said that apart from the Gulfood, the country will be participating in other major exhibitions overseas this year to promote the country’s exports.

These exhibitions include the SEAFEX to be held in Dubai, the Foodex in Japan, as well as Anuga food and retail trade fair in Germany.

Next month, the 9th IFEX Philippines, which serves as Asia’s Ethnic Food and Ingredients Show, will be held at the SMX Convention Center in Pasay City.

The 9th IFEX is organized by CITEM in cooperation with the Department of Agriculture’s Agribusiness Marketing Assistance Service to help promote the country’s products.