Agri export team hopes to book $121.6M in trade sales
By Amy R. Remo
Philippine Daily Inquirer
First Posted 00:35:00 03/25/2008
MANILA, Philippines--The Department of Agriculture expects to book at least $121.6 million in sales this year with the country's participation in 19 international and local trade events and food fairs.
On top of booking orders, the Philippines' participation in trade fairs, led by the DA's Export Development Team, will help local farm producers and exporters tap new foreign markets for their produce.
According to Agriculture Secretary Arthur C. Yap, the DA has earmarked at least P19 million for these trade activities, with "substantial" financial support coming from the Bureau of Export Trade Promotion, Department of Tourism, Citem, Foundation for Resource Linkage and Development and Department of Agrarian Reform.
Yap noted that the Export Development Team also holds regular consultation meetings with the departments of Trade and Industry and Foreign Affairs, as well as the private sector, to keep track of current issues concerning stakeholders.
Of the sales target, Yap said the DA expects at least $111.6 million to come from international events.
Recently, the DA participated in the Boston Seafood Show in the US, where Filipino seafood exporters hauled in close to $6.5 million worth of sales for tuna, octopus, bangus, fish ham and sausages.
The Gulfood 2008 in Dubai, held last month, meanwhile yielded $7 million worth of sales, which are currently under negotiation.
Among the upcoming food fairs are the Foodex Japan in Chiba and the Food and Hotel Asia 2008 in Singapore in April; Seoul Food Korea, Sial China in Shanghai, and World of Foods Thailand (Thaifex) in May; Taipei Food Show in Taiwan and Water Expo (Expo Zaragoza) in Spain in June; Hong Kong Food Expo in August; World of Foods Moscow in September; and Sial France in Paris and 5th China Asean Expo in Nanning City, Guangxi Province in October.
"We also aim to join in at least five trade expos to be held locally, where we target to seize at least $10 million in total sales and orders," Yap said.
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