Mercato Centrale Partners with Peddlr to Power Small Food Businesses' Growth

Metro Manila, August 1, 2025 — Mercato Centrale Group, the country’s leading food business incubator, has partnered with tech solutions provider Peddlr Philippines Inc. to provide digital tools that help small food entrepreneurs streamline operations and scale their businesses. 

The strategic collaboration introduces Peddlr’s point-of-sale and analytics platform to food Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) within the Mercato ecosystem, supporting their shift toward data-driven and tech-enabled operations.

The partnership was formalized by leadership teams from both organizations during the contract signing, including Mercato Centrale’s CEO RJ Ledesma and General Manager Dan Aguilar, along with Peddlr’s Head of Product Kendrick Chan and Go-to-Market Senior Associate Janri Tomioka.

“This partnership is a vital part of Mercato Centrale’s vision,” said  Ledesma. “It’s not enough to serve great food. Our vendors need to understand operations, manage finances, and build customer relationships. With Peddlr, they can take control of their business using practical and accessible tools.”

Peddlr’s mobile app streamlines operations for food businesses by offering point-of-sale functions, inventory tracking, QRPH-enabled payments, and real-time sales monitoring. Once available only to larger enterprises, these tools are now being extended to MSMEs through the partnership with Mercato Centrale.

“Access to analytics changes the game for our vendors,” said Aguilar. “They can now run promos more effectively, adjust pricing, and monitor margins. It’s an essential upgrade for today’s entrepreneurs.”

To bridge the digital divide, the partnership includes training and onboarding support for vendors with limited digital experience or older devices. It also establishes a secure data-sharing ecosystem that connects Mercato Centrale directly with its merchant network,  enabling more targeted initiatives and enhanced support for MSMEs. For partners with older tech devices or less digital experience, the organizations plan to provide training and onboarding so they can also utilize these digital features.

Mercato and Peddlr aim to bring these tools to hundreds of vendors across Metro Manila, enabling them to grow smarter and more sustainably in an increasingly competitive food landscape. 

Russian Businesses Bullish on Expanding in PH — DTI Chief

MAKATI — Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Secretary Ramon Lopez revealed that Russian businesses are keen on expanding their operations to the Philippines (PH).

During a meeting with Russian Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade Aleksey Gruzdev and delegation of Russian business executives on 25 September 2019, Sec. Lopez shared PH’s priority industries that Russia can participate in. He highlighted pharmaceutical, medical, as well as vehicle manufacturing sectors that both countries can collaborate on.

“The Philippines, under the leadership of President Rodrigo Duterte welcomes the interest of Russia to pursue economic cooperation engagements with the government and our business sector. We are optimistic that this good bilateral relationship between the two countries would drive investments, trade, and jobs,” said Sec. Lopez.

According to the trade chief, Russian businesses are exploring opportunities on various industries including airport infrastructure, aviation, shipbuilding, railways, satellite navigation system, waste water management, and power.

Deputy Minister Gruzdev expressed confidence with both countries’ strengthened business relationship and economic partnership. He likewise reiterated Russia’s openness for trade cooperation.

The meeting was held prior to President Duterte’s visit to Moscow this week, where DTI will bring over 150 business delegation to link with possible Russian counterparts. Various business agreements will also be signed during the visit. These include sale of PH canned fish and coconut products, as well as distributorship of lifestyle products and healthcare systems.

Also present during the meeting were DTI Assistant Secretary Angelo Taningco, Foreign Trade Service Corps Executive Director Magnolia Uy, Board of Investments Executive Director Ma. Corazon Dichosa, Russian Ambassador Igor Khovaev, and Ministry of Industry and Trade Deputy Director for Asia, Africa, and Latin America Aleksey Meshkov.

“Padday Na Lima” Returns to Metro Manila; Flaunts Cagayan Valley’s Finest

Aiming to surpass last year’s P9.2M revenues generated, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) – Region 2 officially launched this year’s Padday Na Lima Regional Trade Fair at Festival Mall Alabang, Muntinlupa City last September 24.

In partnership with the Department of Agriculture (DA), the 13^th year of Padday Na Lima features Cagayan Valley’s bountiful agro products – fresh and processed form, highlighting the Region as the leading producer of corn, rice, citrus, banana, pineapple, ginger, peanuts, mung bean, and lowland vegetables (pinakbet).

DTI-Regional Operations Group Assistant Secretary Demphna Du-Naga complimented the convergent efforts of DTI and DA in supporting local farmers in increasing agricultural productivity and ensuring higher returns.

“Nagpapasalamat kami sa Department of Agriculture kasi without the DA, ano naman ang inenegosyo namin? Dapat talagang paigtingin natin ang suporta sa mga magsasaka, turuan natin sila. All their products ay dapat i-product demo upang magkaroon ng merkado,” said Assistant Secretary Du-Naga as guest speaker during the opening ceremony of the trade fair.

Being the Program Manager of the One Town One Product (OTOP) Next Generation, Assistant Secretary Du-Naga also encouraged the participating micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) to undergo product and brand development, through the OTOP Program, to achieve a more competitive innovation and a larger market. 

“Sabi nga ni Secretary Ramon Lopez, tulungan natin lahat ang MSMEs lalo na po ang mga OTOPreneur. Kaya naman ibinubuhos namin ang lahat ng atensyon sa kanila. Kayo na lang ang susuko pero ang DTI ay hindi susuko to support you,” Asec. Naga added.

“Padday Na Lima”, an Ybanag vernacular which means “made by hands”, has been the banner for marketing and promotion of exquisite Cagayan Valley’s products. This year’s trade fair is participated by 96 exhibitors, flaunting their trademark products from the Provinces of Batanes, Cagayan, Isabela, Nueva Vizcaya, and Quirino, ranging from furniture and furnishings, processed food, fashion accessories, home decors, arts and crafts, wearbales, fresh fruits and vegetables, ornamental plants, among others. This is an opportunity for the people from around Metro Manila to enjoy the specialties from the provinces.

 

Padday Na Lima Regional Trade Fair runs through September 24-30, 2019. 

Gearing-up for Green Businesses

Baguio City - About a hundred entrepreneurs from the six Cordillera provinces and this city attended the Green Business Forum organized by the Department of Trade and Industry-CAR and the DTI-Export Marketing Bureau (EMB) with speakers from attached bureaus, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and a practitioner of organic farming.

The forum which was meant to prepare MSMEs to engage in green manufacturing for the so-called “Green Products” or “Green Food” tackled and discussed various topics such as exporting, green business and healthy living, upcycling, design, food, fashion, lifestyle and need to comply with certain regulatory requirements.

DTI-CAR Regional Director Myrna Pablo warmly welcomed the forum speakers and participants and challenged the later to go global with environmentally friendly and healthy foods mentioning the recently held training on Halal as part of the services offered by the government. She likewise emphasized that greening the environment is “the call of the times and should be given importance and urgency by our SMEs in CAR who should have a mindset of production and consumption sustainability”.

Export Counselor Rogelio Torre of EMB discussed how his office can help MSMEs explore direct sales promotion through business matching and facilitation of exporters who plan to meet foreign buyers. Torre added that his office handles inquiries from international importer and exporters and they facilitate outbound and inbound business missions for exporters who plan to visit a particular target market.

The EMB Export Counselor answered questions raised by the participants and further elaborated on the methods that foreign buyers utilize to pay products including tips on choosing a courier and foreign forwarder.

EMB’s Emerging Products Division Assistant Chief Alegria Donado introduced the concept of Green Business Certification that came about in the wake of the ever increasing public concern about the deteriorating natural resources.

Emphasizing the need to sustain resources for future generations, Donado cited adaptive measures and simple ways to green a business by eliminating plastic bottles, changing bulbs, recycling and reusing and “making green thinking a part of your company culture”.

On the topic of Organic Certification, Control Union-Philippines Program Officer Vincigwenn Cañedo cited the advantage of having certified organic products as there is a big market for it in foreign countries. There is a huge demand for green certified products and those bearing a quality seal are widely accepted globally Cañedo said.

Passionately sharing his experiences to the participants, Engr. Guillermo Saret of the National Organic Agriculture Board discussed the concepts and benefits of organic agriculture that sustains the health of soils, ecosystems and people to benefit the shared environment. The owner of Saret Organic Farmville, Saret also emphasized the need to sustain people, planet and prosperity mentioning his four principles of organic agriculture namely, health, ecology, fairness and care.

For her part, Division Chief Rowena Mendoza of the Center for International Trade Exposition Mission (CITEM) introduced the “Green Food Asia 2020” following the successes of its International Food Exhibition (IFEX) events held at the World Trade Center in Metro Manila. As a representative of the export promotion arm of DTI, she also encouraged the participants to be part of the upcoming events of Manila Fame international shows for design, food, fashion and lifestyle.

Andrew delos Reyes and Geonna Marice Santos, both Food and Drug Regulation Officers of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) discussed how MSMEs can obtain a license to operate (LTO) and a certificate of product registration (CPR) from FDA as a requirement to ensure legal compliance for importation, exportation, and distribution of their products.

A focus group discussion ensued and the participants requested DTI-CAR and its attached bureaus to continually mentor Cordillera MSMEs to improve competitiveness through innovation, think global, think Asean while going local.

PH Food Exporters Showcase Products in Russia

As part of the Department of Trade and Industry - Export Marketing Bureau’s (DTI-EMB) approach in expanding Philippine exports, the Philippines will participate in an Outbound Business Matching Mission (OBMM) to Moscow, Russia on September 20 to October 01, 2019.

This mission is in collaboration with the Philippine Trade and Investment Center (PTIC) - Moscow and Department of Agriculture (DA). The OBMM is just in time for the WorldFood Moscow 2019 that will be held on September 24 - 27, 2019 at the Crocus Expo International Exhibition Center, Moscow, Russia.

The delegation will be composed of 14 Philippine food companies who will feature tropical fruits and juices, artisanal chocolates, banana chips, crackers and biscuits, virgin coconut oils and other coconut products, noodles, condiments, and fishery products.

There will be business matching sessions and market scanning. The delegates will also have a briefing with the Eurasian Economic Commission (EAEC) to inform them on the preferential tariffs provided to beneficiary countries including the Philippines. The EAEC is an economic union composed of Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Russia with a consumer base of over 170 million.

The OBMM will also provide opportunities for exporters of fishery products which were recently accredited by Russia to promote their products.

“We are now looking at Russia as an emerging market for Philippine exports as we take advantage of the improving trade relations of both countries,” DTI - Trade Promotions Group Undersecretary Abdulgani M. Macatoman said.

WorldFood Moscow is a recognized international food and drink exhibition in Russia which could be an entry point for international manufacturers who aim to penetrate the Russian market. The event connects thousands of businesses from around the world with Russia’s key food and drink buyers, including retail representatives from Russia’s leading supermarket chains, wholesalers, hotel-restaurant-café sector, and food manufacturers.

In 2018, Russia was the Philippines’ 21st trading partner with a total bilateral trade valued at US$1.36 billion or 0.74% of total Philippine trade with the world valued at US$182.15 billion. It is the 33rd export market valued at US$86.07 million or 0.12% share of the total Philippine exports to the world valued at US$69.31 billion and 19th import source accounting for US$1.27 billion or 1.13% share of the total Philippine imports from the world valued at US$112.84 billion.

Moreover, the exports of food products is valued at US$17.12 million in 2018. The top 3 Philippine food exports to Russia were desiccated coconuts, other fruits, nuts, and bananas, including plantains, fresh or dried.

DTI Eyes Halal Products in CAR as Export Items

With the expanding market for Halal food and cosmetic products that caters to neighboring Muslim and Arabic nations including the country’s 10.7 Muslim Filipinos, the Department of Trade and Industry’s CAR Regional Office and the Philippine Trade Training Center (PTTC) and the DTI Export Management Bureau (EMB) conducted a two-day Halal Training of Trainers on September 11-12, 2019 in Baguio City.

DTI-CAR Regional Director Myrna Pablo spearheaded the training and attended by the senior officials of key agencies from the tourism, agriculture, health, trade and industry, science and technology sectors as well as the academe who were given basic information and understanding on Halal as a way of life and the fundamental requirements for Halal food processing and manufacturing that conform to the specifications of the Philippine Halal Assurance System and eventual Halal certification of products and services. Likewise, the implementation of RA 10817 or Philippine Halal Development and Promotion Act of 2016, were conferred upon by the said converging agencies.

PTTC Training Facilitator Jezel Sunga discussed the training courses and workshops among the participants while PTTC Deputy Executive Director Nelly Nita Dillera outlined their training programs that are attuned to the administration’s Ambisyon 2040 that seeks to provide equal opportunities for all. Dillera also presented the Philippine Export Development Plan that hopes to enable Filipinos to be able to export up to 122 to 131 Billion US Dollars that includes Halal products.

Raison Arobinto, a Shari’ah and Halal Section Head of DTI-EMB spent most of the training hours explaining various Halal laws and practices to the participants including the food value chain. As a Sharia law practitioner, Arobinto gave an insight on Filipino Muslim culture, basic principles of Islam and nature of Shari’ah as the clear path to be followed by Muslims based on the Qurán. Arobinto emphasized on what are allowed and permitted on the foods, clothing and personal care, services, entertainment and finances among Muslims. He also presented the magnitude of Halal markets that local businesses can serve and Halal being a healthy and wholesome lifestyle can also be adopted by non-Muslim populace.

Furthermore, Arobinto noted that the Filipino Muslim population alone including the number of Muslim tourists in the country is already a big market for Halal products. During the interactive workshop with officers from DTI-CAR, DOST, DOT, DA, DOH and SLU, Arobinto also explained the processes and accreditation procedures in availing a Halal certification by interested MSMEs interested to get a Halal Certificate for their products.

With the Philippine Halal Export Development and Promotion Act of 2016 that recognizes the significant role of exports to national economic development, Arobinto in convergence with other concerned agencies are developing and promoting the whole value chain of Halal industries not only to increase market opportunities but to make Halal exports more competitive through product development, quality assurance measures and value-adding mechanisms to make the Philippines an active player in regional and international Halal markets.

With the first Halal Trainers Training in the Cordillera, DTI-CAR and PTTC hope to develop a pool of Halal trainers, develop Halal entrepreneurs to serve more Muslims, increase Muslim tourist arrivals and offer healthier way of life of Halal to all.