With the recently-concluded 13th IFEX Philippines: NXTFOOD ASIA, the three-day exhibition, was met with buyers from all over the nation and region. It is a clear sign of a growing interest on local food products locally and internationally.
The Center for International Trade Expositions and Mission (CITEM), the export promotion unit of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), organized the event. This year’s IFEX marks a milestone in CITEM’s campaign to promote food products from local small and medium enterprises (SMEs) to the global market. As the country’s largest business-to-business food event, it brought together and connect many food manufacturers, consolidators, retailers, and more across the country and the world.
A major highlight of the event is their promotion of the “Premium 7” products. Choosing these products as those the Philippines can champion as premium exports. These products being Banana, Cacao, Coconut, Coffee, Mango, Pineapple, and Tuna.
What’s next for IFEX?
IFEX is only the start for CITEM’s 2019 campaign to showcase Filipino products to the world. In promoting local exports, CITEM’s lineup for the year includes the Taipei International Food Show in Taiwan (June 19-22), Summer Fancy Food Show in New York (June 23-25), and Anuga in Germany (October 5-9).
