Taipei, Taiwan—The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) continues its commitment to promoting Philippine products globally by participating in Asia’s biggest show, Food Taipei 2024. The event featured 15 Philippine exporters who showcased diverse food and beverage products, highlighting the innovative and complex offerings of the country.

“Our participation in Food Taipei 2024 is a testament to the quality and competitiveness of Philippine products. It underscores our commitment to supporting our local exporters in reaching new heights in the international market,” said DTI Secretary Fred Pascual.

The Food Philippines pavilion highlighted the country’s top export food products such as sauces, condiments, snack foods, coconut-based products, ready-to-eat meals, fresh seafood, juices, coffee, and beverages.

“These products can be easily paired with any food and food ingredients in Taiwan. They cater to the taste of different market segments, food choices that are fit for any time of the day and basically complement the wide selection and trends that you see in the estimated USD 9.5 billion Taiwan food market,” said Anthony B. Rivera, Director for Commercial Affairs at the Philippine Trade and Investment Center (PTIC) in Taipei.

The 14 participating companies generated an estimated total of USD 7.3 million in sales (booked and under negotiation). Among the top-selling products were coconut flower syrup and sap drinks, organic and conventional coconut medium-chain triglyceride (MCT), coconut water, and coconut jams. Processed fruits and vegetables like water spinach chips, banana chips, taro chips, and camote chips, along with native delicacies such as fish crackers, crispy anchovy, squid, and shrimp were also well-received.

Further, Taiwan is known as one of the international food hubs in Asia and offers a wide and diverse range of food selections.

According to Importers and Exporters Association of Taipei (IEAT) Secretary General Peter Huang, “Taiwan is an open market with a very good consumer base, and we welcome Philippine food products to come to Taiwan.”

Made possible through the DTI-led Tatak Pinoy Strategy (TPS), the country made its successful participation in the event, in collaboration with the Philippine Trade and Investment Center Taipei, Export Marketing Bureau (EMB), Philippine Exporters Confederation Inc. (PHILEXPORT), Philippine Food Processors and Exporters Organization Inc (PHILFOODEX), and with support from the Manila Economic and Cultural Office (MECO).

“This is a very relevant and encouraging result of the PHILEXPORT MOU with the Importers and Exporters Association of Taipei (IEAT) in 2022,” said PHILEXPORT President Sergio R. Ortiz-Luis Jr.

“Now on its second year, we are pleased that the increased sales generated from this show and other related activities are helping establish a stronger foothold in Taiwan as another potentially big market for our products,” he added.

The Philippine delegation included notable companies such as Bahaghari Global Food, Good Sense Food & Juices, La Carlota Food, P.Togo, Yan Yan International Philippines, KKK Food, Project Beans, Lionheart Farms Philippines, Tropicana Food, Chemrez Technologies, Gemfoods, Fruits of Life, Fenor Foods, Pasciolco Agriventures, and Jing’s Cuisine.

“As caring as the Taiwan market, the raw materials of Philippine products are responsibly sourced from farmers and communities in the Philippines. They pass the very strict food quality standards in Taiwan, offered at very competitive price ranges, and they can be mainstreamed in both modern trade and general trade channels in Taiwan,” said PTIC Taipei in a statement.

With the DTI’s goal to elevate enterprises and entrepreneurs, the Department is committed to support local businesses to develop a solid domestic market base and eventually expand into the export market. The successful showcase at Food Taipei 2024 is a clear indication of the potential and quality of Philippine food products, promising a brighter future for the country’s export industry. ♦

Date of release: 29 July 2024

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