IFEX Philippines 2006 generates 79.9 million sales

IFEX Philippines, now on its third year in standing as the most significant country-sponsored event that showcases the best offerings of the local food industry, has achieved USD 79.9 million in export earnings, with a 316 per cent increase from last year’s sale of USD 31.8 million.

The country’s 283 food exporters, manufacturers, and consolidators hit the mark in accompanying 1,332 buyers—1,118 of which are from various local regions, while 214 are from different countries. These key foreign buyers came from Australia, Canada, China, Europe, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, Taiwan, and USA.

Some of these leading foreign buyers/companies include Hirasho Shoten, Health Co. Ltd., Heuschen Schrouff, Manning Impex, Five Rings, and Wilby Commercial. They were also part of the IFEX Very Important Buyers

“We are very pleased to say that the significant growth in the number of visiting buyers and of course, in the earnings of IFEX proved that our country remains a reliable source and hub for Asian ethnic foods, Filipino cuisine, and fresh and processed products,” said Trade Assistant Secretary Fe-Agoncillo-Reyes, also head of the Center for International Trade Expositions and Missions (CITEM), the export promotions agency of the Department of Trade and Industry.

IFEX 2006’ best selling products were fresh and frozen fish; sardines; frozen fruits and vegetables like saluyot, ampalaya, and banana; octopus; meat preparations like ham and sausage; processed fruits like banana chips and dried fruit cocktail; fruit and vegetable juice; coffee and cocoa; cookies and crackers; and cereal preparations such as cake and polvoron.

This year’s Partner Region Program (PRP) featured the fiery dishes and flavorful packaged delicacies of the Bicol Peninsula. Twenty-six companies from the said region specifically highlighted their well-known pili, laing, pinangat, and crab meat products. Technical seminars regarding the ISO 22000 Food Safety Management Program, Supplier’s Requirements, and Business Opportunities for OFWs were also offered to the participants to help them update with the latest trends and developments on food quality systems, empowering them to be more competitive in the business arena.

“The seminars were very encouraging,” an SME Marketing Manager said. “We now learned additional modern strategies in enhancing our manufacturing skills, kaya I’m sure na we will attract more buyers on next year’s IFEX.”

Exhibitors were also given 30 minutes to conduct product/cooking demos in the Retailers Zone Special Events area. Organized with COOK Magazine, the cooking exhibitions did not only set the place for sharing the latest product innovations, but also for product sampling and cooking contests.

Competitions like Best Booth and Trendy Packaging were also held to motivate food manufacturers to further improve their standards of presentation as well as to give credit to those who have invested their time, efforts, and resource in developing a product for the export market.

KSK Boy Bawang triumphed over the 200 candidates for the Best Booth category. Meanwhile, five out of 21 nominees were declared as the Trendy Award winners: Antonio Pueo Incorporada, FD Gonzales Food Product, Gem Food International Inc., Nutri-Prime Products Inc., and Sorsogon Food Enterprises.

“So far, all of the objectives of IFEX including the upgrading of the Philippines’ image as a destination for modern food ideas in Asia and the global promotion of SME products were sufficiently accomplished. We hope that this victory continues on the succeeding years of IFEX,” added Agoncillo-Reyes. The annual food fair was held on May 12-14 at the World Trade Center Manila and was organized by CITEM.