25 Filipino Brands Net Over USD83.2M Export Sales at the World’s Largest Annual Food Show in Dubai Food

Twenty-five Philippine companies bagged more than 83 million US dollars of export sales from over 1,163 foreign buyers in the country’s participation in the recently held Gulfood at the Sheikh Rashid Hall, Dubai World Trade Centre, United Arab Emirates (UAE) on February 17-21, 2019.

Led by the Department of Trade and Industry, through the Center for International Trade Expositions and Missions (DTI-CITEM), twenty-five food producers and manufacturers showcased the country’s top halal-certified food selections in the country’s 14th participation in the event.

“Our country’s tropical selections have once again delighted the palate of buyers across the globe under the Philippine pavilion in Gulfood, which is one of the world’s biggest and most prestigious events on food,” said DTI-CITEM Executive Director Pauline Suaco-Juan.

The Gulf Food Hotel and Equipment Exhibition and Salon Culinaire, popularly known as Gulfood, is considered as one of the world’s biggest stages where the latest tastes, trends and innovations are unveiled. It is a trade and business platform that provides immense opportunities to buyers, exhibitors, and notable personalities in the food and hospitality industries.

International buyers and visitors in Gulfood 2019 flocked towards the FOODPhilippines pavilion to sample the country’s halal-certified tropical food and beverage selections.

Among the best sellers under the FoodPhilippines’ pavilion were dried fish (herring and anchovies), fruit preserves, nuts, condiments from Pixcel Transglobal Foods Inc.; fresh banana from SL Agritech; tamarind mix and oysters sauce from Mama Sita’s; canned sardines from Phil-Union Frozen Foods, Inc.; and sardines, tuna, frozen fish, canned vegetables and fruits from Mega Global Corporation.

Also showcased in the pavilion were products from Alsons Aquaculture Corporation, Brandexports Philippines, Inc., Celebes Coconut Corp., Century Pacific Food, Inc., Columbia International Food Products, Inc., Fitrite, Inc., Gem Foods International, Inc., Krystle Exports Phil., Inc., Leonie Agri Corp., LTH Food Industries, Inc., Mama Sita’s, Marikina Food Corporation, Market Reach International Resources, Monde Nissin Corporation, Philippine Grocers Food Exports, Inc., Profood International Corporation, Q-Phil Products International, Sagrex Foods, Inc., San Miguel Pure Foods Company, See’s International Food and Super Q.

“Participating in this five-day event is strategic for us to sustain and strengthen the promotion of Philippine food products in the Middle East and North African (MENA) region, particularly in member states of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GGC),” said Suaco-Juan.

The Philippine participation in Gulfood is also aimed at expanding the country’s market share in the global halal trade. According to Hexa Research, the global halal food market size is predicted to reach USD 2.55 trillion by 2024 driven by the rising demand for the consumption of halal meat.

“We also invite buyers and food enthusiasts with keen interest in Philippine and other Asian products to taste more of these in the upcoming edition of IFEX Philippines where we will present the next big thing in Asian food under the theme ‘NXTFOOD Asia’,” she said.

This participation under FoodPhilippines is led by DTI-CITEM as part of the government’s unified effort to promote the Philippines as a source of quality food products in the global market.

CITEM is organizer of IFEX Philippines, which is the Philippines’ biggest export‐oriented food show, happening on May 24-26. IFEX Philippines 2019 will present “NXTFOOD ASIA” where it will showcase the next big thing in Asian food with the latest food innovations, trends and best practices in the Asian food industry.

Those who are interested to join IFEX Philippines can visit ifexphilippines.com/