Ten Philippine food companies led by the Center for International Trade Expositions and Missions (CITEM) are set to showcase the local industry’s healthy and natural food products at FoodEx Japan 2021, the largest food and beverage event in Asia.
“We’re glad to offer the world our tropical selections grown on our country’s distinct terroir, which offer a new and flavorful component of wellness,” says CITEM executive director Pauline Suaco-Juan.
The 10 participating companies include: Business Innovations Gateway Incorporated, Century Pacific Food Inc., Limketkai Manufacturing Corporation, Magic Melt Foods Inc., Marigold Manufacturing Corporation, Market Reach International, Pasciolco Agri Ventures, Prime Fruits International, Inc., See’s International Food Manufacturing Corporation, and SL Agrifood Corporation.
And the goal this year? To generate $14.05 million in final sales.
“Despite the difficulties we are facing, we’re confident that the Philippine delegation for FoodEx will be able to sustain the country’s position as a premier food sourcing destination,” Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) for the Trade Promotions Group Undersecretary Abdulgani Macatoman says.
The 2019 edition saw the Philippine delegation generating $45.5 million in sales, well above the $17.9 million target of DTI. The following year, the trade show was canceled due to the pandemic.
From Mar. 9 to 12, Chiba, Japan will host the physical expo but exhibitors and buyers will be able to interact through online meetings and chats on the FoodEx online platform until Oct. 8, 2021.
But this year’s FoodEx Japan will follow a hybrid format utilizing both physical and digital platforms. From Mar. 9 to 12, Chiba, Japan will host the physical expo but exhibitors and buyers will be able to interact through online meetings and chats on the FoodEx online platform until Oct. 8, 2021. Philippine participation however will be fully digital in light of travel restrictions and public health measures.
The 10 food companies will also showcase their products at IFEX Philippines NXTFOOD Asia, a homegrown platform for sourcing quality food products. And in response to the increasingly digitized nature of trade, CITEM has also developed the online food sourcing platform foodphilippines.com, which features the Philippines’ leading and emerging sources of healthy, organic, natural, and specialty products and services.
The 2019 edition of FoodEx saw the participation of more than 3,000 exhibitors. Over 80,000 visitors and trade buyers, hailing mostly from Asia, Europe, and Africa, joined the trade show.