Philippines targets over $14 million sales from Asia’s biggest F&B expo

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippines is targeting to generate over $14 million worth of sales as it takes part in Asia’s largest food and beverage event in Japan next month, the export promotions arm of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) said.

In a statement, Center for International Trade Expositions and Missions (CITEM) said the country’s delegation of 10 food companies joining Foodex Japan 2021 were aiming for $14.05 million in sales from the event.

During the last Foodex held in 2019, the Philippines raked in $45.5 million worth of sales, well above the $17.9 million goal set by the DTI.

Last year’s show was cancelled due to the coronavirus pandemic.

While this year’s physical show for Foodex will be held from March 9 to 12 in Chiba, an online platform would be available for exhibitors and buyers so they can continue to have virtual meetings until Oct. 8 this year.

For this year’s Foodex, the Philippine delegation would showcase healthy and natural food products.

“Well before the pandemic, the Japanese have always had healthy eating habits, with the rest of the world now catching up,” CITEM executive director Pauline Suaco-Juan said.

“We’re glad to offer to the world our tropical selections, grown on our country’s distinct terroir, which offer a new and flavorful component of wellness,” she added.

Trade Undersecretary Abdulgani Macatoman said the DTI is upbeat the country’s delegation for Foodex would be able to sustain the country’s position as a premier food sourcing destination even as challenges due to the pandemic remain.

“After what’s sure to be a successful showcase of the Philippines’ finest food products, we look forward to these companies returning to IFEX Philippines,” he said.

IFEX Philippines NXTFOOD Asia, one of CITEM’s flagship events, is a platform for sourcing quality food products.

Through IFEX Philippines, both local and international companies can join and tap premium food products from different parts of the world.

Amid increasing digital trade, CITEM has also developed an online food-sourcing platform, foodphilippines.com, featuring the country’s leading and emerging sources of healthy, organic, natural, and specialty food products and services.