Philippines to boost food exports to South Korea

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippines is looking to increase its exports of farm, fishery and food products to South Korea as it participated in an international food expo.

In a statement, the Department of Agriculture (DA) said it recently joined the Seoul Food Expo 2022 in Goyang City, South Korea.

Agriculture Assistant Secretary Noel Reyes said the Philippines is hoping to further increase its food exports to South Korea. Food exports to South Korea grew by 20 percent to $525 million last year.

‘‘In particular, we are upbeat about establishing valuable market leads with South Korean food importers and retailers, and more importantly gaining new and additional partners and investors,” Reyes said.

Six Philippine food enterprises attended on-site, while the 18 companies attended virtually.

DA agricultural attache in South Korea Aleli Maghirang said the 24 Philippine companies were able to meet with prospective clients of their respective food enterprises involved in the production, processing and trading of various agriculture and fishery products.

“With South Korea’s expanding market and demand for quality and healthy food, being part of Seoul Food Expo is definitely an advantage for farmers, fishers, food processors and entrepreneurs,” Reyes said.

Maghirang said the Seoul Food Expo 2022 serves as a platform for emerging and high potential agri and fishery businesses to showcase their respective products, and network with food importers, wholesalers and retail outlets in Korea.

“As Korea is the fourth biggest destination of Philippine food products, being part of Seoul Food Expo 2022 ushers in promising business deals for our kababayans,” she said.

For her part, Philippine Ambassador to South Korea Maria Theresa Dizon-de Vega lauded the country’s active participation that was ably organized and coordinated by the DA through the Philippine Agriculture Office (PAO) led by Maghirang.