Trade shows give market insights, bring together potential partners and SMEs --food exporters

“Every show that local companies attended locally andabroad is always successful, not only in terms of the sales generated, but also in terms of the new business contacts, market insights, technological info, valuable experience, and new friendships gained,” saidLucky Fortune Foods Corp. CEO Eduardo Escaño. "Accepting the invitation of government to join foodexhibits abroad should not be missed.”

Food exporters recently identified the key importance of joining trade fairs and missions and the market opportunities they presented in the Market Information Exchange (MIX). The event serves as a knowledge-sharing platform on the results of the international participation of Philippine food exporters in selected trade fairs and business missions, held from the second half of the year 2006 to the first half of 2007. These include the Philippine Food Festival in (Russia), Salon International de l'Agroalimentaire International (Paris), Food Marketing Institute Show (Chicago, USA),Food Roadshow to the Middle East UAE Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain), Thailand Food Exhibition, Food Business Mission (New Zealand), and Taipei Food Show.Some of the key markets discussed during the forum were New Zealand, Russia, Middle East and the United States.

“New Zealand’s feature as an English-speaking country having similar business practices with the US makes it a good market for local food companies. And because we can adapt to its food regulations, we are now exporting fresh mango, banana, pineapple, and papaya products to them for years,” explained Roberto Amores, President of Hi-las Marketing Corporation and Director of PHILEXPORT.

According to Annie Moreno, Export Manager of theRepublic Biscuit Corporation, “Local manufacturers can join international trade fairs on their own but if they want to maximize their participation, they should join CITEM and DA. These government agencies have partners abroad that will help them in terms of business-matching, market development strategies, and extensive promotion.” Last year, 1,876 small and medium enterprises (SMEs) generated US$ 281 million export sales by attending 32 CITEM-organized participation in trade fairs and missions, opening up new market opportunities for these local companies.