FOODPHILIPPINES
The Center for International Trade Expositions and Missions (CITEM), the export promotion arm of the Philippines’ Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), unifies its overseas promotional efforts for the food sector under its industry brand, FoodPhilippines. Under this brand, the country is positioned as Asia’s sought-after sourcing destination for innovative and premium quality food products.
Currently, the Philippines is one of the top exporters of fresh fruits and marine goods. It is also a major supplier of raw ingredients to the USA, Japan, Canada, South Korea, and the Netherlands, accounting for US$307.87 million of agro-based export products in the world (Source: Philippine Statistics Authority, February 2016).
As reported by the Global Agricultural Information Network (GAIN), the Philippines’ food processing sector also contributes 50 percent to the country’s total manufacturing output, making it an attractive market for ingredients, raw materials, machinery, and packaging.
With the increasing global demand from the hotel, restaurant, and catering (HORECA) sector, the Philippines is all set to be Asia’s top-of-mind food business destination and gateway to Asia.