24 June 2019

Published also in Business Mirror

AFTER the successful turnout of Ifex Philippines NXTFood Asia last month, the Center for International Trade Expositions and Missions (CITEM) now sets its sights on the Taipei International Food Show (TIFS) from June 19 to 22, 2019, at the Taipei Nangang Exhibition Center and the Taipei World Trade Center (TWTC).

As the Department of Trade and Industry’s (DTI) export promotion arm, CITEM will be managing the Philippine delegation at this year’s TIFS. The Philippine Pavilion will be at the ground floor of the TWTC Hall 1.

More commonly known as Food Taipei, this year’s TIFS will also be held concurrently with four other food-related shows (Foodtech and Pharmatech Taipei, Taipei Pack, Taiwan Horeca and Halal Taiwan). This 5-in-1 food show provides visitors and exhibitors a one-stop shop to engage companies, brands and suppliers from all facets and related sectors of the food industry.

For this edition, the Philippine delegation will be bringing with it both returning and first-time exhibitors to Taiwan which will all be united under the theme “FoodPhilippines.” The theme’s goal is to highlight the natural and healthy food products of the Philippines while putting a special focus on the country’s premium tropical fruits (e.g., banana, mango, pineapple, calamansi), coconut products (e.g., virgin coconut oil, coco water, coco powder, desiccated coconut), natural sauces and condiments, and ready-to-eat processed foods and beverages.

Some companies returning to Food Taipei this year are Destileria Limtuaco, Year Luck and Century Pacific Food. Joining them are TIFS newcomers like GainCoco, Leonie Agri Corp. and JND Manufacturing Industries.

Many of these exhibitors will be going to Taiwan with the goal of raising their brand awareness, promoting their new product lines and exploring the Taiwanese market in the hopes of landing foreign clients not only in Taiwan, but also in mainland China.

Last year’s Philippine participation in Food Taipei generated $25.83 million in sales from 18 participants. For the 2019 edition, DTI-CITEM has a sales target of $26 million along with an increase in the number of business inquiries. With the number of health-conscious consumers on the rise, the FoodPhilippines theme is bound to make an impact on both the international and Taiwanese buyers at the show.