Philippine food firms’ sales hit $133 million in Dubai fair

MANILA, Philippines — Philippine food companies generated $133 million worth of export sales from a food trade show held in Dubai last month, according to the Center for International Trade Expositions and Missions.

CITEM said export sales generated by Philippine firms that took part in the Gulfood at the Dubai World Trade Center from Feb. 19 to 23 were double the total sales recorded in 2023.

The export sales cover booked orders and sales under negotiation from the food trade show.

The country’s participation in Gulfood 2024 was led by CITEM, which serves as the export promotions arm of the Department of Trade and Industry.

Held every year, Gulfood is the biggest gathering of leading food and beverage brands from more than 190 countries.

It serves as a platform to showcase the latest trends and innovations in food and hospitality industries.

For this year’s Gulfood, the Philippine delegation was composed of 25 companies engaged in the food and beverage sector.

Among the top-selling companies are Pixcel Transglobal Inc., SL Agritech Corp. and Lionheart Farms Inc.

Products with the highest dollar value in terms of export leads were fruit preserves, cavendish bananas, fermented marine products and amino sap beverages.

CITEM executive director Edward Fereira said Gulfood plays an important role in the global food scene.

“The annual food expo has become an entry point for businesses across the world to penetrate the Middle East and North Africa region,” he said.

In line with the aim to promote the country’s export products and services, CITEM is set to hold IFEX Philippines, the country’s biggest international trade show for food and ingredients, from May 10 to 12 at the World Trade Center Metro Manila.