Philippine Food Exporters Return Onsite at IFEX Philippines 2022

A multi-sensory experience awaits guests and participants as IFEX Philippines 2022, the country’s much-anticipated food trade show opens its doors at the World Trade Center Metro Manila from September 22 to 24.

Returning onsite since the pandemic, IFEX Philippines aims to showcase the best food products by local producers and manufacturers in a three-day event that includes thematic settings of distinct and innovative food and ingredients, networking and business-to-business (B2B) activities, talks and seminars, cooking demos and product presentations, special events, and more.

Expected to grace the opening of the event, either in person or via recording, are top foreign and national government officials including Sen. Cynthia A. Villar, Chairperson of the Senate Committee on Agriculture and Food; Sen. Imee Marcos, Vice-Chairperson of the Senate Committee on Agriculture and Food; Undersecretary Ireneo V. Vizmonte, Officer-in-Charge (OIC), Department of Trade and Industry (DTI); and Assistant Secretary Glenn G. Peñaranda, OIC, Trade Promotions Group (TPG).

Organized by the Center for International Trade Expositions and Missions (CITEM), IFEX Philippines is expected to attract around 3000 visitors and buyers, and feature thousands of top quality Filipino food products and ingredients from almost 400 exhibitors.

Spotlight on the crème de la crème

On its first day, IFEX Philippines will give recognition to new and innovative Filipino food products at Katha Awards for Food for 2022. Katha Awards aims to strengthen the reputation of the Philippines as a go-to destination for globally competitive food products. Katha recognizes exporters that explore new galleries of flavors, original brand ideas, unique food fusions, and creative packaging methods.

One winner from each product category will be selected for  Best  New  Product: Beverage; Fine Food and Specialties; Marine Products; Meat and Poultry Products; Snack Foods and Crisp Savoury Products; Baked Goods; Processed Fruits and Vegetables; and Natural, Healthy, and Organic Products. IFEX Philippines will also select one winner for the Best Booth Display.

New Flavors, New Features

During the three-day event, IFEX Philippines will feature a special section called Flavor Finds, a collection of new food discoveries and innovations in the Philippine food scene. Flavor Finds will showcase products from NXTFOOD PH, CITEM’s comprehensive product development and marketing program that aims to bring innovative Philippine food products to the global market. It will also showcase new products from select exhibitors and emerging Philippine food products and ingredients with tremendous export potential–ube, plant-based food, and Philippine craft beer.

Open House, another show feature, introduces the latest programs and activities within the food sector by showcasing products from IFEX Philippines partners. It will also highlight government efforts to champion Filipino food exporters, manufacturers, and MSMEs. Programs under Open House will include the following:

• COCONUTPHILIPPINES - A showcase of coconut products from food SME exporters under CoconutPhilippines, the country branding of the most versatile food produce of the Philippines. CoconutPhilippines is presented through the Coconut Farmers and Industry Development Plan (CFIDP) of the Philippine Coconut Authority under the Department of Agriculture.

• TASK Program ​(Technology Advice and Solutions from Korea) - A joint program by the Department of Science and Technology and the Korea Institute for Advancement of Technology that assists Philippine food companies in solving manufacturing issues such as product quality, production efficiency, and compliance with standards.​

• Philippine Craft Beer - Superior in quality and infused with distinct aromas and flavor profiles, the Philippine craft beer will be spotlighted in a unique booth setup with beer tasting activities. As one of the country's fast-rising industries, the craft beer industry aims to preserve the art of traditional brewery.

• RAPID Growth Program - The Rural Agro-enterprise Partnership for Inclusive Development and Growth (RAPID Growth) is a multibillion-peso value chain-based and market-driven business development initiative that aims to achieve inclusive and sustainable economic development for Philippine rural farming communities in the country.

• One Town, One Product (OTOP) Philippines - OTOP PHILIPPINES is a priority stimulus program for micro, small and medium-scale enterprises. The program enables localities and communities to develop and promote products or services that are rooted in their local culture, community resources, and competitive advantage.

• Processed Fruit and Nuts Pavilion - The Processed Fruits and Nuts (PFN) Pavilion features products from local enterprises under the Industry Cluster Enhancement Program of DTI. The cluster envisions the Philippines as a globally competitive supplier of quality processed fruits and nuts.

IFEX Philippines also has a dedicated space called the IFEX Kitchen for food-tasting activities, cooking demonstrations, and product presentations. Talks and seminars will cover topics such as sustainability in the food sector,  Kosher certification, intellectual property, FDA registration, and more.

IFEX Philippines 2022 will be held in partnership with DTI-Regional Operations Group and regional offices in Cagayan Valley, CALABARZON, MIMAROPA, Bicol Region, Western Visayas, CARAGA, Zamboanga Peninsula, Northern Mindanao, and Davao Region. Other government partners include DTI - Export Marketing Bureau (EMB), DTI - Foreign Trade Service Corps (FTSC), DTI - Philippine Trade Training Center (PTTC), Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA), Coconut Farmers & Industry Development Plan (CFIDP), RAPID Growth Project, One Town One Product (OTOP) Philippines, Department of Tourism - Tourism Promotions Board (DOT-TPB), Department of Science and Technology - Industrial Technology Development Institute (DOST-ITDI), Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and Secret Kitchens of Samar. 

Industry partners include Philippine Exporters Foundation Inc. (PHILEXPORT), Philippine Food Processors and Exporters Organization, Inc. (PHILFOODEX), Integrated Food Manufacturers’ Assn. of the Phils. for Productivity (INFOMAPP), Philippine Confectionery, Biscuit and Snack Association (PCBSA), Brandexports, Northridge, and Craft Beer Association of the Philippines (CBAP). IFEX Philippines has also partnered with the Technology Advice and Solutions from Korea (TASK) Program, Chapter Coffee, Philippine Wine Merchants, and Bleeding Heart Rum, as well as media organizations COOK Magazine, Business Mirror, Philippine Graphic, Pilipino Mirror, Manila Bulletin, Philippine Daily Inquirer, and Philippine Star.

To learn more about the event, visit IFEXConnect.com.

About CITEM

The Center for International Trade Expositions and Missions (CITEM) is the export promotions arm of the Philippine Department of Trade and Industry (DTI).

For nearly 40 years, CITEM has established the country’s image as a premier destination for quality export products and services. It continues to set the highest standards of creativity, excellence and innovation to achieve competitiveness in the home, fashion, lifestyle, food, creative, and sustainability sectors.

CITEM is committed to developing, nurturing, and promoting micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs), brands, designers, and manufacturers by implementing an integrated approach to export marketing in partnership with other government and private entities.

About IFEX Philippines

IFEX Philippines (formerly International Food Exhibition) is CITEM's long-running trade event and sourcing program for Philippine and global food and ingredients.

Together with IFEXConnect.com, IFEX Philippines serves as a one-stop business-to-business (B2B) platform aiming to optimize their sourcing experience of buyers from anywhere in the world.

IFEX Philippines is organized by the Center for International Trade Expositions & Missions (CITEM).

Food Export Show IFEX Philippines Returns on Site this September

IFEX Philippines, the country’s long-running and biggest export-oriented food show, is back on the trade show floor at the World Trade Center Metro Manila in Pasay City from September 22 to 24, 2022.

With the theme “Discover your love affair with Filipino Flavors,” the event is set to offer international food importers, buyers, and aficionados a multi-sensory food experience which has been missed by many at the height of the pandemic. IFEX Philippines is organized by the Center for International Trade Expositions and Missions (CITEM), an attached agency of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI). 

 

“This is the first time that IFEX Philippines is going to be back on site since the pandemic in 2020. We look forward to welcoming our participants, especially buyers and guests, and for them to see and taste first hand what the Philippines has to offer in terms of food exports,” said CITEM Deputy Executive Director Ma. Lourdes D. Mediran. 

 

It’s a Love Affair 

Built on the Filipino concept of a “love affair,” IFEX Philippines 2022 seeks to “pursue and enthrall” participants and guests by capitalizing on the practice of “panliligaw” or local courtship traditions. “Love affair is the heart of Filipino food. We’re tapping into local culture to evoke a sense of discovery and romance in creating a unique Filipino food experience. Through IFEX Philippines, we want to highlight the reasons why Filipino flavors stand out in the world and why the Philippines is a premier destination for food products and ingredients,” said Mediran. 

 

Expected to join the expo are more than 300 companies and enterprises all over the Philippines from the following sectors: beverages; fine food and specialties; fruits and vegetables; biscuits and confectioneries; snacks and crispy savory food products; meat and poultry; dairy products; cereals, grains, and starch; seafood and marine products; organic and natural; raw materials and food ingredients; and allied services. 

 

A Showcase of Familiar and New Flavors 

IFEX Philippines 2022 will have multiple trade components including exhibitions, business matching activities, seminars and talks, and special events. The event will also feature a thematic showcase of distinct Philippine food and ingredients, dynamic cooking demonstrations, and product presentations. These on-site activities will be complemented by digital components such as virtual business-to-business (B2B) meetings and online streaming for special events. 

 

This year’s trade show will also introduce a special section named Flavor Finds as its main highlight. It will feature new and innovative products from NXTFOOD PH, the banner for products developed under CITEM’s food innovation program, as well as currently in-demand local products like ube, plant-based food, and handcraft beer among others; and new products from select exhibitors. 

 

The event will also pilot Coconut Philippines, the country branding of the most versatile food produce of the Philippines, through a showcase of coconut products from food SME exporters. CoconutPhilippines is presented through the Coconut Farmers and Industry Development Plan (CFIDP) of the Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA) under the Department of Agriculture (DA) which aims to increase the productivity of and modernize the country’s coconut industry. 

 

IFEX Philippines 2022 will be held in partnership with the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Regional Offices in Ilocos Region, Cagayan Valley, Bicol Region, CALABARZON, MIMAROPA, Eastern Visayas, Zamboanga Peninsula, Northern Mindanao, Davao Region, and CARAGA, as well as the DTI-Export Marketing Bureau, DTI-Foreign Trade Services Corps, Philippine Exporters Foundation Inc. (PHILEXPORT), Philippine Food Processors and Exporters Organization, Inc. (PHILFOODEX), Integrated Food Manufacturers’ Assn. of the Phils. for Productivity (INFOMAPP), and Coconut Farmers & Industry Development Plan (CFIDP). 

 

To learn more about the event, visit IFEXConnect.com or email ifexphilippines@citem.com.ph. END 

About CITEM 

The Center for International Trade Expositions and Missions (CITEM) is the export promotions arm of the Philippine Department of Trade and Industry (DTI). 

 

For nearly 40 years, CITEM has established the country’s image as a premier destination for quality export products and services. It continues to set the highest standards of creativity, excellence and innovation to achieve competitiveness in the home, fashion, lifestyle, food, creative, and sustainability sectors. 

 

CITEM is committed to developing, nurturing, and promoting micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs), brands, designers, and manufacturers by implementing an integrated approach to export marketing in partnership with other government and private entities. 

 

About IFEX 

IFEX is the country's most comprehensive trade promotions program for the domestic food industry, helping Philippine and global exporters promote premium quality food and ingredients to the world through physical and/or digital trade shows and business-to-business platforms, digital marketing efforts, an online community, and a product innovation program. 

 

IFEX Philippines (formerly International Food Exhibition) is CITEM's long-running trade event and sourcing program for Philippine and global food and ingredients. 

 

Together with IFEXConnect.com, IFEX Philippines serves as a one-stop business-to-business (B2B) platform aiming to optimize their sourcing experience of buyers from anywhere in the world. 

 

IFEX Philippines is organized by the Center for International Trade Expositions & Missions (CITEM). 

CITEM Kicks Off First Digital Food Expo

A year before the pandemic hit in 2019, the Philippine agri-food sector turned in a strong showing, accounting for an estimated P6.1T to the country’s gross domestic product (GDP). The same year also saw the sector employ 42.7% of the national workforce. 

In the new normal that changed our lives and livelihoods forever, The Center for International Trade Expositions and Missions (CITEM)  tries to recapture the same momentum for one of our country's most lucrative export sectors.

 

This is made possible through the first-ever digital iteration of its banner sourcing event for Philippine food, the IFEX Digital Expo 2021, from September 23-25.

“One of the many things that the pandemic brought forth is the need to connect—now more than ever. COVID changed the way we at CITEM worked, especially with heightened activity online. With borderless communication at our disposal, we present through this expo how we can conduct the business of food in the new normal,” CITEM Executive Director Pauline Suaco-Juan shares.

Leveraging its access to advanced digital tools, CITEM stages the IFEX Digital Expo 2021 to provide an avenue for Philippine food brands and businesses to showcase homegrown food products and ingredients to a wider audience.

Themed “Salu-salo,” IFEX Digital Expo brings together business owners, restaurateurs, hoteliers, farmers, food manufacturers and distributors, retailers, culinary professionals and foodies. The event serves as a medium for strengthening the food community through storytelling, knowledge sharing, and creating dialogue. This year’s show features over 200 exhibitors from all over the country. There are also invited industry experts from global organizations and local government agencies who will share their knowledge and insights on trends, opportunities, and techniques related to food. Networking and business-to-business matching sessions will also be part of the online event’s features.

A Three-Day Digital Celebration of Philippine Food

One of the highlights of the IFEX Digital Expo is the launch of two online platforms foodphilippines.com and www.ifexconnect.com, developed by CITEM. FOODPhilippines.com will be the website of the banner brand for all of CITEM’s events and initiatives for the Philippine food sector. Meanwhile, IFEXConnect.com will serve as the agency’s new promotion and lead generation platform for the country’s food export industry. 

 

Expo delegates can look forward to a wide array of Philippine food product categories, including fine food and specialties, biscuits and confectionery, organic and natural food items and ingredients, and snacks and crispy savory food products.

In addition to the informative discussions, the expo is set to excite the palate through happy hour sessions such as coffee brewing. Take in the rich aromas and flavors of Philippine coffee on Day 1. Savor mouthwatering dishes as Chef Angelo Guison explores the flavorful gifts of coconut, from tree to plate, in Coco Pop on Day 2. Distinguish craft from draft with the Craft Beer Association of the Philippines and Philippine craft kings beer connoisseur Jazel Paraiso, as you sample a beer set and learn about beer-food pairing on Day 3.

Source From a Wide Array of Products at the Expo Section

The IFEX Digital Expo 2021 brings you an all-new digital sourcing experience through its Expo section on Hopin. Browse through a catalog of flavors harnessed from the Philippines’ distinct terroir and by Philippine food companies from all over the archipelago. In the three-day expo, you can also initiate business with food brands, export enablers, and business support organizations.

To join IFEX Digital Expo, register for free at https://bit.ly/IFEXDigitalExpo.  

The rest of the three-day expo are as follows:

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The IFEX Digital Expo 2021 is organized with the help of RAPID Growth, Department of Science and Technology (DOST), the Department of Trade and Industry’s Export Marketing Bureau ( DTI-EMB) and the Philippine Halal Export Development and Promotion Board, Philippine Coconut Authority, and DTI Regional Offices.

About CITEM

The Center for International Trade Expositions and Missions (CITEM) is the Department of Trade and Industry’s (DTI) export promotions arm committed to nurturing the global competitiveness of Philippine micro, small, and medium scale enterprises (MSMEs), exporters, designers, and manufacturers. The agency aspires toward the highest standards of creativity and innovation, and spanning industries including home, fashion, lifestyle, and food sectors.

About FOODPhilippines.com

FOODPhilippines.com is an interactive community platform with stories celebrating and promoting Philippine food. The platform is replete with narratives on food heritage, culinary personalities, and well-loved recipes as well as innovative takes on Pinoy food. 

www.foodphilippines.com

About IFEXConnect.com

IFEXConnect.com is a promotions and lead generation platform with business functionalities catered toward the needs of food exhibitors and buyers alike.The business-intensive portal is envisioned to be a sourcing platform that features digital storefronts of Philippine food exporters. Ready to serve the global market, IFEXConnect also has a business-matching facility to ensure access to and discoverability of well-loved Pinoy food products. 

www.ifexconnect.com

About IFEX Digital Expo

CITEM organized the International Food Exhibition (IFEX) Philippines, a homegrown platform for the country’s food sector and the country’s biggest and most respected business-to-business (B2B) event for Asian food and ingredients. The export promotions agency is also in the thick of preparations for the digital iteration of IFEX Philippines, the IFEX Digital Expo. From expos, workshops, business-matching, and networking sessions, the IFEX Digital Expo will have food-intensive activities suited to the taste of anyone who's in the business and culture of food.

https://bit.ly/IFEXDigitalExpo 

Ref. Elmer Harold Grande

Email: ehgrande@citem.com.ph

Twitter: @CITEMPh

Facebook: @DTI.CITEM

Global Culinary Experts to join World Street Food Congress 2017 in Manila

Top heritage street food vendors and celebrity chefs from across the globe will soon flock Manila for an exciting five days of gastronomic adventure of local and international street food at the World Street Food Congress (WSFC) 2017.  Happening on May 31 – June 4, 2017 at the SM Mall of Asia Concert Grounds, these experts will be sharing insights, developments and opportunities in street food heritage and culture in the World Street Food Dialogue. Over 30 authentic street food vendors from 13 nations, including Philippines, will be flown in to dazzle the foodies at the World Street Food Jamboree component.

Leading the roster of dialogue speakers are Anthony Bourdain, international food and travel celebrity, and Greg Drescher who is currently the vice-president of strategic initiatives and industry leadership at The Culinary Institute of America (CIA). Joining him are our country’s very own culinary maven, Claude Tayag, who specializes in Kapampangan dishes and owns the famous Bale Datung as well as Sau Del Rosario who is a proud owner of the popular modern Kapampangan café, Café Fleur and 25 Seeds, SARSA’s JP Anglo, and Rafael Jardeleza who is the founder of project director of the annual Tabu-an Western Visayas Ilonggo Heritage Cooking Competition and Food Fair.

Also included in the list of speakers are Mai Pham, author of several award-winning cookbooks including The Best of Vietnamese & Thai Cooking, Pleasures of the Vietnamese Table and Flavours of Asia and, Malcolm Lee who is the head chef and owner of the first Michelin-starred Peranakan restaurant, Candlenut, to name a few.

Curated by K.F. Seetoh and organized by Makansutra and presented by the Department of Tourism (DOT) and the Tourism Promotions Board (TPB), this year’s WSFC17 is bigger and better with over 50 kinds of street food representing 13 different countries in over 30 stalls plus pop-up booths.

Aside from World Street Food Dialogue, the event will also host the World Street Food Jamboree, where you can sample different local and international street food and at the same time mingle with celebrity chefs at the cooking demo; and the World Street Food Awards, where the best of industry professionals will be awarded.

WSFC is one of the world’s biggest food destinations and with an even bigger and better event this year, it will sure to attract more global attention. This paves the way for the Philippines to be recognized as one of the world’s most go-to food destinations.

Region 10 Goes Madrid Fusion 2017 Featuring the Best of the Best

Madrid Fusion 2017, the biggest food event of the year, went into a spin as Region 10 brought in the best of the province in a variety of kakanin.  With Regional Director Marie Elaine S. Unchuan of the Department of Tourism (DOT) leading the way, Region 10 aimed to win the heart and stomach of all attendees of the event, local and foreigner alike.

With this year’s delivery of the best delicacies from the region, RD Unchuan aimed to let people knew that there is truly more than what is known about Region 10.  From point to point of the region, the whole Region 10 DOT was ready to wow those in the event with what they were presenting in the 3-days event.  From Bukidnon to Misamis Occidental, a good selection of delicacies was presented as part of the gastronomic wonder of the region.  The delegations are as follow:  RD Marie Elaine S. Unchuan - DOT10, Josephine H. Roque – DOT 10 Focal Person, Leonila S. Arguelles – Kitchen Focal Person, Chef Benzar Aradani , Camille Ambalario – Chef’s Assistant , Nelia B. Lee (Food Sponsor), Agnes Garcia Sue (Food Sponsor – Clarin, Misamis Occidental), Mayor Clive Quino and Mrs. Rina Quino (Food Sponsor -Manolo Fortich, Bukidnon) with other DOT 10 personnel.  

People were won over by the delicious suman from Clarin, Misamis Occidental, the crunchy peanut brittle, the delicate pastel by Vjandep from Camiguin, that grated young corn delicacy called binaki  and chicharon from CDO, the peanut goodness of Cheding’s from Iligan City and the sweet pineapples of Manolo Fortich, Bukidnon.  Paired off with it were the various coffee goodness of the region.  Not only are delicacies featured but also the Humba de Oro and Ostrich Salpicao; two dishes displayed during the regional lunch last April 8 under the careful hands of Chef Benzar Aradani.

A good number of gastronomic wonders are to be expected and seen at this year’s Madrid Fusion.  Region 10 was all set to give and serve their own tongue-wonder creations and win the hearts of people to come and explore and taste what they have to offer as a region, as a province and as Mindanao.