IFEX Philippines’ Taste ASEAN event attracts global market

DTI Undersecretary Nora K. Terrado led the ribbon cutting ceremonies at the Taste ASEAN Pavilion, EU Pavilion, and Food Artisans Village in first day of IFEX Philippines on May 19. The three settings are just some of the special features at the three-day trade show. (Photo credit: IFEX Philippines Expo Facebook)

OVER 2,100 trade buyers joined the trade opportunities in the Philippine export market in the recently held International Food Exhibition (IFEX) Philippines at the World Trade Center Metro Manila (WTCMM) and the Philippine Trade Training Center (PTTC), Pasay City.

More than 750 exhibitors of food and ethnic ingredient manufacturers; exporters; consolidators; artisans; chefs; culinary historians; experts; and gourmet enthusiasts from different parts of the country and the globe are featured in Asia’s ethnic food and ingredient show with the theme “Taste ASEAN.”

WRAPSODY's Associate Marketing Manager Erika O. Perena explained the medicinal benefits of Pili nuts to Korean buyers inquiring about their products in IFEX2017 on May 19. (PinoyVision)

IFEX Philippines, a huge food export platform was designed for ASEAN Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) that aims to help MSMEs to be more innovative in the region; to promote the country’s culinary history and tradition; to support the demand of oriental flavors; to escalate business prospects and harness more productivity within the region.

MEKENI President Prudencio "Pruds" S. Garcia with associates signed sales contract at IFEX Philippines on May 19, first day of the trade show. (PinoyVision)

IFEX is known to be the only business-to-business and export-oriented food show in the country designed for local and international food companies to meet and transact with the world’s top buyers.

Organized by the Center for International Trade Expositions and Missions (CITEM), the export promotion arm of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), with support from the Department of Agriculture, the three-day event was enhanced with the collaboration with the different embassies.

VILLA Socorro Healthy Chips, Inc.'s Banana Man-President Raymund Vincent F. Aaron (right), Rosh Aaron L. Guiruela (left) and associates showcased their flavorful and healthy banana chips made of saba, called SABANANA in IFEX Philippines. (PinoyVision)

Philippines’ fast-growing food industry with all the major developments in manufacturing, retail, and exports, the global retail owners, importers, and investors were drawn to its great potential. Around 23% of the trade buyers came from ASEAN and South Asia, 25% from the Middle East and Africa, 18% from Americas, 14% from East Asia, 11% from Europe, 4% from China and its special administrative regions (SARS) and 5% from Oceania. A considerable increase compared with the 2015 edition with 18% from the international buyers from ASEAN countries and South Asia.

LYDIA'S LECHON seasoning like bagoong, all-around sauces, toyomansi and the like were showcased in the IFEX 2017 event. Michelle Laguna and her associate posed with pride to sample their products to potential buyers. (PinoyVision)

CITEM Executive Director Clayton Tugonon said in a statement that the confirmed Very Important Buyers (VIBs) are first timers. “Their presence is significant in streamlining new trade deals and partnerships,” he said.

ENG BEE TIN represented by Royce Gerik Chua (top right) together with their balikbayan potential clients at IFEX 2017 on May 19. (PinoyVision)

About 64% VIBs came from retail giants and supermarkets from around the globe.

According to DTI Undersecretary Nora K. Terrado in a speech during IFEX’s opening program, in 2015, Philippine food industry is among the top industries where MSMEs thrived.

Taste the VERI IN LOVE ice cream with real fruits like durian coupled with coconut cream.  The Malaysian Chinese brand owner (right) and Filipino-Chinese (middle and left) distributors in the Philippines were overwhelmed with the response of the buyers in IFEX 2017 during the opening day of the event on May 19.   

“Out of 900,000 MSMEs in the country, 13 percent of this is in the food and accommodation services, which created a total of close to 700,000 jobs around the country,” Terrado said.

TASTE Indonesia! Ajib Akbar Velayaty with Filipino associates gladly promoted Indonesian products like SOSRO's Teh Botol and other fruits drinks in IFEX2017.  (PinoyVision)

“In 2017, the agricultural sector has so far contributed almost 10 percent of the total GDP. It has provided employment to many of our fellowmen, especially in the regions and in areas where the poorest of the poor are found. I believe these industries can perform even better with the right kind of support extended to the whole value chain–from the farms to the factories, from the retail outlets to local consumers, all the way to the global export market,” the undersecretary said.

BRUNEI Embassy represented by Noormula Othman and associate presented the Halal products from Brunei and she emphasized that their products are widely exported mostly in the United Kingdom and European countries. (PinoyVision)

Moreover, in terms of Philippine products, Tugonon said they aim to push more of our local cacao and coffee, which have high demand in the international market.

Tugonon also said that they are looking for more ways to tap the Middle East market, which has a high demand for halal-certified products.

HALAL products such as Malay's Rendang and curry seasoning/condiments are now available in the Philippines though UNLIMITED BRANDS INC.  Their President Edwin Carasus (2nd from right) and his associates; and Vivian C. Cabrera of Malaysian Embassy offered sample of rice with the viand and condiments in a pack, and coffee respectively. Taste Malaysia in IFEX 2017 at World Trade Center Metro Manila (PinoyVision)

To support this opportunity, IFEX has a special exhibition for Halal-certified products, installed together with the Philippine Halal Board. It envisioned to help Philippines’ position as an international Halal processing and manufacturing hub.

SIKWATE!  Cacao from Barangay San Isidro, North of Davao is now available through CSI Trade Ventures.  Dante Muyco Jr. (right) and Noel V. Albano (left) participated in IFEX Philippines, World Trade Center Metro Manila. (PinoyVision)

“In 2017, the agricultural sector has so far contributed almost 10 percent of the total GDP. It has provided employment to many of our fellowmen, especially in the regions and in areas where the poorest of the poor are found. I believe these industries can perform even better with the right kind of support extended to the whole value chain–from the farms to the factories, from the retail outlets to local consumers, all the way to the global export market,” the undersecretary said.

In the event, local cacao and coffee, variants and processed products were showcased.  A trend of high demand in the international market.

CONSOLIDATOR Gulf Pacific Integrated Exports, Inc.'s booth vibrant color, arrangement, quality and quantity of brands and products to offer may attract clients.  Owners with friends posed in optimism during the first day of IFEX Philippines. (PinoyVision) 

Tugonon also said that they are looking for more ways to tap the Middle East market, which has a high demand for halal-certified products.

IFEX has a special exhibition for Halal-certified products, which was installed together with the Philippine Halal Board. It envisioned to position Philippines  as an international Halal processing and manufacturing hub. 

HALADEEN'S Business Development Manager Sam Mahmood (middle) with visiting Singaporean friends experienced Taste ASEAN in IFEX Philippines.  Haladeen is a common Halal ePlatform for Halal manufacturers, service providers, traders and customers. (PinoyVision)

Healthy supplements or alternatives and sustainable products for the growing health-conscious market also dominated IFEX.

MAMA SITA'S batuan puree, a delectable condiment for Bulalo, an ethnic seasoning for soup with tamarind may give a satisfying gustatory fete.  Tasted "Lutong Pinoy" at IFEX Philippines. (PinoyVision)

With the success of past IFEX events, Tugonon also mentioned that in 2015, IFEX was able to generate Php7.69 billion in sales. For this 11th edition, CITEM targets to generate Php 8.72 billion in export sales.

The rise of demand and increase of numbers of IFEX participants, led to its yearly event instead of the normal frequency of once in every two years.

PEARL FARM BEACH RESORT, a five-star beach resort in Davao del Norte participated in IFEX Philippines to giveaway Luxury Escape, a premier vacation of a lifetime as dream destination raffle promo. Assistant Sales Manager Melanie G. Del Villar (left) with associate invited all buyers and exhibitors to visit the resort after IFEX 2017 event. (PinoyVision)

IFEX Philippines is one of the official events of 30th Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) summit. The trade show presented the region’s unique tropical fruits, vegetables, fresh and processed seafood, sauces and condiments, and other food products.

 

Thank you to the organizers and staff of IFEX Philippines.  See you next May 2018!

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