Two international trade fairs are set this month and local brands are joining—virtually.
From Feb. 17 to 19, food companies will bring Philippine organic food products to Biofach, the world’s leading trade fair for organic food held in Nuremberg, Germany. But the 2021 edition will be fully digital. Some of the exhibitors include AG Pacific Nutriceutical Corporation, Eau de Coco Inc., and Filipinas Organic Coconut Products Corp.
Meanwhile, 13 Philippine companies will participate in Gulfood Hotel and Equipment Exhibition and Salon Culinaire (Gulfood). Gulfood, one of the world’s biggest fairs for food and hospitality held annually in Dubai, will be held in hybrid format, with a physical exhibition and digital components. This is the 16th time that the country is joining Gulfood.
According to the Department of Trade and Industry’s (DTI) website, the physical exhibit will be complemented by QR codes for featured products, with interested buyers led straight to the inbox of Philippine exhibitors. The Center for International Trade Expositions and Missions (CITEM) will also facilitate extensive business matching with Gulfood exhibitors and prospective buyers two weeks after the trade fair.
CITEM will be bringing Philippine exporters to these trade fairs as part of its mandate as the export promotions arm of DTI.
“The DTI is excited to keep the local food sector’s momentum going. We are confident that under the stewardship of CITEM and the Philippine Trade and Investment Center, the Philippines will once again show why buyers all over the world keep coming back for Pinoy food products,” says DTI Undersecretary for the Trade Promotions Group Abdulgani Macatoman.
“The DTI is excited to keep the local food sector’s momentum going. We are confident that under the stewardship of CITEM and the Philippine Trade and Investment Center (PTIC), the Philippines will once again show why buyers all over the world keep coming back for Pinoy food products,” says DTI Undersecretary for the Trade Promotions Group Abdulgani Macatoman.
Last year, the Philippine delegation earned a total of $36.37 million in sales from the Biofach event, surpassing CITEM’s initial target of $10.37 million. Similarly, the Philippine participation in Gulfood 2020 earned more than $102.6 million in export sales.
CITEM executive director Pauline Suaco-Juan expressed optimism in the “digital facilitation of trade,” despite the on-ground nature of these shows. “The digital format opens you up to a bigger portion of the world rather than just people who physically go to the trade shows. As we know, sourcing now, because of digital (platforms), is enabled 365 days of the year, 24/7. And it’s good for our products to be searchable online,” she says.
Visit Biofach’s and Gulfood’s official website for the exhibitor list and for more details.