In a strategic move to expand market opportunities for Philippine food exports, the Department of Trade and Industry’s Export Marketing Bureau (DTI-EMB), together with the Philippine Trade and Investment Center (PTIC)-Guangzhou and the Philippine Exporters Confederation, Inc. (PHILEXPORT), organized an outbound business mission to Guangzhou, China, held from 19 to 23 June 2024.

Marking the first Guangzhou food mission, 10 Philippine exporters engaged with nearly 60 buyers, key retail accounts, food chamber members, and officials.

“Congratulations to the exporters in this mission, who I understand generated close to USD 1 million in sales under negotiation,” said Sergio R. Ortiz-Luis Jr., President of PHILEXPORT.

“Their success gives us further confidence that China remains to be an important market for our agri-based products. We are hopeful that the gains from this initial mission can be sustained, if not expanded to other provinces in China.”

The mission featured a business-to-business (B2B) matching event, conducted in collaboration with Food2China (F2C), an online-to-offline service platform affiliated with the Guangdong China Imported Food Association (IFA). The platform has more than 400 registered members of influential and prestigious importers, distributors, e-commerce, and caterers throughout China.

A networking session also took place with key accounts from the Guangzhou Chain Operations Association (GRCA), which includes some of China’s biggest food retailers such as Vanguard and 7-11, among others. Additionally, market visits to well-known food chains like Hema Fresh, SJ, Sam’s Club, and Vanguard were conducted.

Meanwhile, the meeting with the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade (CCPIT) – Guangzhou offered collaborative opportunities for delegates with its food chambers and e-commerce members. CCPIT Vice President Zhang Chaoping highlighted Guangdong’s significant market potential, given its leading share of gross domestic product (GDP) and population size in China.

The delegation was composed of processed fruits, coconut, snacks, and herbal supplements exporters, namely Profood International Corporation, Tropicana Food Products, Inc., Pasciolco Agri Ventures, Lionheart Farms, Soyuz Foods International Inc., Tropical Palm Herb Manufacturing, MFP Home of Quality Food Corporation, B&C Healthy Snack Foods Inc., Mira’s Turmeric Products, and New Asia Oil, Incorporated.

Philippine Acting Consul General for Guangzhou Aprilfleur S. Galima-Mejia and IFA/F2C President Wolfgang Qi, and PTIC-Guangzhou Commercial Consul Froilan Emil D. Pamintuan graced the event. The mission has provided Philippine exporters the opportunity to start making inroads in the rapidly flourishing China’s south gateway, Guangzhou. ♦

Date of release: 20 July 2024

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