IFEX Philippines 2019 welcomes international and local companies to tap the rising global demand for premium and quality food products.
International and local companies are invited to explore the growing market for quality food exports in the 13th edition of the International Food Exhibition (IFEX) Philippines which will be held on 24-26 May 2019 at the World Trade Center (WTC) Pasay City, Metro Manila, Philippines.
Organized by the Philippines’ Department of Trade and Industry through the Center for International Trade Expositions and Missions (DTI-CITEM), IFEX Philippines is the country’s biggest and most respected business-to-business (B2B) event for Asian food and ingredients.
Starting 2018, IFEX Philippines has become an annual event for more opportunities for international and local companies to tap the rising global demand for premium and quality food products from different regions across the globe, including North and South America, Europe, East Asia, the Middle East, Southeast Asia, Australia and many more.
The three-day event will cover 12 different food sectors namely (1) seafood and marine products; (2) alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages; (3) coffee, herbal teas and cocoa; (4) fresh and processed seafood; (5) fruits and vegetables; (6) grains and cereals; (7) herbs and spices; (8) meat and poultry; (9) natural, healthy and organic products; (10) bakery and confectionery; (11) specialty, ethnic and gourmet products; and (12) other allied industries.
“IFEX Philippines continues to be the premier export platform for international and local companies with its reputation as an internationally recognized food trade show brand for Asian food and ingredients in the food exhibition industry,” said DTI-CITEM Executive Director Pauline Suaco-Juan.
“For our upcoming edition, we aim to elevate participating companies to a strategic position where they can better leverage on the event’s exhibits, seminars, networking and business-matching activities, as well as take advantage of the Philippines’ proximity to other markets,” she added.
According to DTI-CITEM, individual exhibitors who participated in IFEX Philippines 2018 can avail of a loyalty discount. This discount excludes exhibitors or companies under group or regional participation.
IFEX Philippines 2018 performance
In the previous edition of IFEX Philippines, DTI-CITEM surpassed its targets with over USD 256 million worth of export and domestic sales from 513 international and local exhibitors.
Among 12 product sectors in the event, natural and organic products emerged as the best-selling category which generated USD 29.9 million worth of sales. It was followed by fine food and specialties (USD 29M); fresh and processed fruits and vegetables (USD 22.6M); grains and cereals (USD 12.9M); and beverages (USD 8.55M).
Nearly 8,000 buyers and visitors attended the event, including over 1,800 high-profile trade buyers from top global retail giants and supermarkets. Local and foreign visitors of IFEX Philippines are comprised of importers, retailers, wholesalers, distributors, consolidators, trading firms, retail chains, hoteliers and restaurateurs, airlines, ship chandlers, commissaries, caterers, service providers, and health and fitness specialists or consultants.
The top five country origin of Very Important Buyers (VIBs) in the event came from Japan, United Arab Emirates (UAE), China, Qatar and the United States, respectively.
VIBs in the event represented notable supermarkets and retail chains, including Lulu Hypermarket, Al Maya Group; Nesto Group; T&T Supermarket; ISETAN the Japan Store; Integral Food Services (IFS) WLL; Kobebussan Co., Ltd.; Variety Trading and many more.
A springboard for trade exhibitions abroad
Participating in IFEX Philippines not only allows MSMEs meet potential buyers, but also are given the opportunity to be part of the Philippine participation in overseas exhibitions and trade missions.
“IFEX Philippines offers more than just an exhibition and a business event. Through its different trade show features and programs, IFEX Philippines allows large companies and MSMEs to feel the pulse of the export industry and get an idea on which countries they can tap to grow their business,” said Suaco-Juan.
A prime mover in export marketing, driving numerous official Philippine participation in overseas trade exhibitions and notable promotional endeavors for food and beverage products, DTI-CITEM takes companies with trade fair experience in IFEX Philippines to international food exhibitions such as Winter Fancy Food Show and Summer Fancy Food Show in the US, Gulfood in the UAE, FOODEX in Japan, Taipei International Food Show in Taiwan, SIAL Paris in France, and ANUGA in Germany.
Those who are interested to join IFEX Philippines 2019 can contact the Project Officer-Lead for Exhibitor Campaign, Ms Zhary S. Bagayas, via e-mail at zbagayas@citem.com.ph or telephone number at (632) 831-2201 local 228.
