Food traders and enthusiasts around the world are invited to get the finest Asian food and ingredients from the Philippines as the country’s food and agricultural product exports continue to expand.
The Philippine Department of Trade and Industry, through the Center for International Trade Expositions and Missions, said global buyers could discover the next big thing in Asian food in the International Food Exhibition Philippines at the World Trade Center in Pasay City on May 24 to 26, 2019.
In its 13th edition, the three-day event will present ‘NXTFood Asia’ featuring the innovations, trends and best practices in the food industry with the participation of Philippine and Asian food champions, manufacturers, culinary talents and other stakeholders.
“The Philippines is your gateway toAsian food products with its vibrant agri-export and food manufacturing industry, as well as its strong oriental influence and strategic proximity to other Asian countries,” said Center for International Trade Expositions and Missions executive director Pauline Suaco-Juan.
“Food buyers and lovers can savor these Asian products and other tropical delights with the showcase of ‘NXTFood Asia’ in IFEX Philippines, the country’s biggest and most respected business-to-business event for Asian food and ingredients,” she said.
The three-day event will cover 12 different food sectors, including (1) seafood and marine products; (2) alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages; (3) coffee, herbal teas and cocoa; (4) fresh and processed seafood; (5) fruits and vegetables; (6) grains and cereals; (7) herbs and spices; (8) meat and poultry; (9) natural, healthy and organic products; (10) bakery and confectionery; (11) specialty, ethnic and gourmet products; and (12) allied industries.
Suaco-Juan said buyers and visitors are in for a much exciting and productive sourcing experience in IFEX Philippines this year. Attendees can discover, taste, feel, smell, see in full color the next big thing in Asian food and relish in their lineup of exhibits and activities.
“By presenting ‘NXTFood Asia’, we aim to showcase the agricultural bounty and culinary heritage of the Philippines and other Asian countries that are now delighting palates across the globe,” she said.
In 2017, the Philippines’ export earnings from agricultural products reached P331.61 billion with fresh banana as the country’s leading agricultural export commodity, according to the Philippine Statistics Authority. This number grew 32.25 percent from the 2016 record of P250.75 billion.
The country has recently reclaimed its position as the second-largest exporter of bananas in the world based on a preliminary market review report of the United Nations’ Food and Agriculture Organization.
FAO estimated that Philippine banana exports last year expanded by 77.34 percent to an all-time high of 2.95 million metric tons from a recorded volume of 1.663 MMT in 2017.
The output recovery of the Philippines, which accounts for about 90 percent of the total Asian banana exports, boosted the region’s shipments by 70 percent in 2018 to 3.2 MMT from 1.9 MMT in 2017, according to FAO.
Meanwhile, the same PSA report showed the volume of centrifugal sugar exports hit 440,733 metric tons, representing a 142.48 percent increment from 2017. Its exports value went up to P10.26 billion, up by 118.14 percent from a year ago and contributed 3.09 percent to the total value of agricultural exports.
The volume of fresh mango exports at 16,166 metric tons and value at P1.17 billion also went up by 12.36 percent and 84.56 percent, respectively, with a notable increase in market price.