Japan, Middle East eyed for local food exports

The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) is aggressively ramping up efforts to boost the export of local food products to the lucrative markets of Japan and the Middle East.

The DTI, through the Center for International Trade Expositions and Missions (Citem), is bringing to Japan 18 Philippine companies, which are all set to showcase the country’s tropical fruits and beverages at the 41st International Food and Beverage Exhibition (Foodex) next month.

“The Philippines has superior quality and export-ready fruits and fruit products, and rigorous promotions are being done to position the country as the sourcing destination of the best ingredients and food products in Asia,” Citem executive director Rosvi C. Gaetos said in a statement.

“Data showed the Philippines dominating Japan’s tropical fruits imports, supplying 99.7 percent of its pineapples, 93.3 percent of its bananas, and 27.3 percent of its mangoes. That in itself is a feat, given the highly-discerning Japanese market,” Gaetos added.

Other products to be promoted by local exporters included frozen tuna, Peking duck, snacks, beverages, and pastry ingredients—categories that have remained strong in Japan since they capture the palate of Japanese consumers.

In the Middle East, a recent outbound business delegation led by the DTI saw Philippine agri-business companies gaining significant access to the mainstream market among Gulf Cooperation Countries (GCC).

The DTI said there was a growing demand for Philippine food products in the Middle East.

“However, we need to safeguard our interest and reputation as we see the proliferation of fake products from other countries claiming to be made in the Philippines,” said Senen M. Perlada, director of the Export Marketing Bureau (EMB) at the DTI.