PH keen to expand EU food exports in Anuga with GSP+ edge

DTI-CITEM targets $62M export sales in world’s biggest food fair

Coconut oil is one of the products featured in the FoodPHILIPPINES pavilion in Anuga on October 7-11. It is the third most shipped product to EU countries in 2016, with total export sales of $551.39 million

The export promotion arm of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) is set to further expand the trade relationship between the Philippines and the European Union (EU) as it leads a delegation of food exporters in Anuga on October 7-11 at the Koelnmesse in Cologne, Germany.

The Center for International Trade and Expositions and Missions (CITEM) is set to feature the country’s export-competitive products from 19 food companies under the FoodPHILIPPINES industry brand.

“The Philippines’ participation in Anuga is part of DTI’s overarching efforts to step up the export drive in EU member states and take advantage of the Philippines’ zero tariff privileges under the EU’s current Generalized System of Preferences Plus or GSP+ scheme,” said CITEM Executive Director Clayton Tugonon.

Known as the world’s largest and most important food and beverage fair, Anuga presents a combination of 10 specialized trade shows under one roof, showcasing the diverse product selection in the global food industry. This year, around 160,000 visitors are expected to join the five-day event to check out the latest and most innovative products from around 7,200 global exhibitors.

In 2015, 35 Philippine companies netted $67.7 million export sales in Anuga. For 2017, DTI-CITEM is targeting $62 million.

“Despite coming with a smaller delegation, we are not pulling any stops with our high export target. We have carefully selected 19 food companies that are primed for the European market, each capable of showcasing the best of what the Philippines have to offer,” said Tugonon.

Aside from food tasting activities, the Philippine delegation will also participate in business-matching activities during the event.

The EU is ranked as the Philippines’ 4th largest trading partner, 3rd largest import source, and 4th largest export market.

In 2016, the Philippines’ external trade in goods with the EU states totaled to $13.713 billion or 9.7 percent share of the country’s total trade, based on data of Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA). Exports to the EU reached $6.970 billion or 12.1 percent of the total export receipts, while imports were valued at $6.743 billion or 8 percent share to total import, resulting to a balance of trade in goods (BOT-G) surplus of $227.74 million.

Among the EU-member countries, Germany is the Philippines’ top trading partner with a total trade of $4.357 billion or 31.8 percent of EU’s total trade. Revenue from export to Germany amounted to $2.329 billion while payments for imports were worth $2.028 billion or a trade surplus of $301.32 million

Within the EU, ninety percent of EU-Philippine trade is concentrated among eight EU member-states—Germany, France, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, Italy, Spain, Belgium, and Denmark.

As of now, the Philippines is enjoying a special trade arrangement and incentives with European countries as one of the 30 countries listed under EU’s Generalized Scheme of Preferences (GSP). Under the EU GSP, developing countries can export goods with reduced tariffs entering the EU to stimulate economic growth and job creation in their economies. The Philippines avail itself of the zero preferential duties on 6,274 products going to EU states.

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FoodPHILIPPINES is the industry brand for the food sector which unifies the overseas promotional efforts of the Center for International Trade Expositions and Missions (CITEM), the export promotions arm of the Philippine Department of Trade and Industry (DTI). Under this industry brand, the Philippines is positioned as Asia’s most exciting sourcing destination for food exports, being one of the world’s top exporters of tropical fruits and marine products.

IFEX Philippines draws more Southeast Asian buyers as PH leads 30th ASEAN Summit

Bright prospects ahead with over 60% first-time int’l buyers in PH’s largest food show

Efficient business-to-business matching program and exclusive perks await international trade buyers at IFEX Philippines.

More Southeast Asian trade buyers are expected to source the best of Philippine and Asian food products in the 11^thedition of IFEX Philippines on May 19-21 at the World Trade Center Metro Manila (WTCMM) and Philippine Trade Training Center (PTTC).

“As one of the official trade events in the 30^th ASEAN Summit, IFEX Philippines will further our aspirations toward a more inclusive, innovation-led growth in ASEAN bloc by matching global food buyers and food suppliers within the region,” said DTI-CITEM Executive Director Clayton Tugonon.

Based on DTI-CITEM’s latest tally on May 8, 23% of the confirmed trade buyers in IFEX Philippines are coming from ASEAN and South Asia; while 25% from the Middle East and Africa, 18% from Americas, 14% from East Asia, 11% from Europe, 4% from China and its special administrative regions (SARS), and 5% from Oceania.

This is a significant increase compared to the previous 2015 edition, wherein only 18% of the total international buyers came from ASEAN countries and South Asia.

“We are also proud to announce that more than half of our confirmed Very Important Buyers (VIBs) are first timers. Their presence is significant in streamlining new trade deals and partnerships,” said Tugonon. “We were able to convince them through our aggressive buyer campaign, complemented with the renewed global interest towards Filipino food fusions, as well as the diplomatic efforts of President Rodrigo Duterte to deepen the economic ties of the Philippines with other states.”

Based on the same tally, 64% of the confirmed VIBs are visiting IFEX Philippines for the first time. VIBs are representatives of established and reputable retail giants and supermarkets across the world.

Among retail giants participating from Southeast Asia is “The Mall Group,” which is one of the largest supermarket operators in Thailand, recording about 6 billion US dollar revenue in 2016.

Retail chains and supermarkets hailing from different regions also include the Hurxley Corporation from East Asia; Integral Foodservices from the Middle East and Africa; Bianca International Organic, Inc. from Americas; Migros, Albert Heijn B.V., Veld Co. and Decare from Europe; and Nanjing Grand Group from China.

Through DTI-CITEM’s partnership with the different embassies, the three-day event is also expected to host delegations of international buyers from Syria, Japan, Korea and Turkey.

To maximize sourcing opportunities, buyers in IFEX Philippines can join the IFEX Philippines Connect, an integrated business platform that matches buyers with potential food suppliers and other business partners.

Those engaged in the private label industry will also have the privilege to participate in the Grocers Exchange (GMART Program) to connect with private label suppliers.

To get a more comprehensive outlook on the Philippine market, international buyers have the option to join the guided tours on local big retail chains and supermarkets under the Store Visit Program, coordinated with the Philippine Amalgamated Supermarkets Association, Inc. (PAGASA).

They will also have a chance to win premier vacation in Pearl Farm Beach Resort, a five-star beach resort in Davao del Norte under the Luxe Escape Dream Destination Raffle Promo.

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IFEX Philippines, Asia’s ethnic food & ingredients show, is the country’s biggest international trade exhibition on the Philippines’ and Asia's specialty food, with around 700 exhibitor companies, attracting wholesale buyers, importers and food distributors from all over the world.

IFEX Philippines is organized by the Department of Trade and Industry, through its Center for International Trade Expositions and Missions (DTI-CITEM), in partnership with the Department of Agriculture, through its Agribusiness and Marketing Assistance Service (DA-AMAS), and the ASEAN Committee on Business and Investment Promotion (CBIP), which is chaired by DTI.

World-class Davao Chocolate Firm Launches New Products at IFEX Philippines, May 19-21

Multi-awarded Malagos Chocolate to feature new ‘fruity, sustainable’ product in PH biggest food show

Malagos Chocolate is made from single-origin cacao beans grown on our farms in the foothills of Mt. Talomo in the Davao region of the Philippines’s Mindanao island. 

It is chocolate harvested from carefully nurtured trees and processed without the stain of child labor.

One of the chocolate firm that is shaping Davao to become the ‘Cacao Capital of the Philippines’ is launching their new line of ‘fruity and sustainable’ couverture chocolates at the International Food Exhibition (IFEX) Philippines onMay 19-21 at the World Trade Center Metro Manila and Philippine Trade Training Center (PTTC).

“For this year’s IFEX, we’re developing products using local fruits to help promote sustainability and inclusive growth in our area,” said Malagos Agri-Ventures Corporation’s sales and marketing head Rex Victor Puentespina. “Ayun din naman ang campaign ng government, to help development in the countryside so we want to use local products in Davao.”

Aside from their new product line, the Davao-based company will also offer neatly packaged dark chocolates ranging from varying rate of cacao concentration—100% Unsweetened, Malagos 85% Dark Chocolate, Malagos 65% and Malagos 72%. They will also sell roasted cacao nibs and dried fermented cacao beans, as well as quality cacao seedlings, seeds, scions.

Single-origin, ‘tree-to-bar’ chocolate

Malagos Chocolate takes pride on their single-origin chocolate production or what they call the “tree to bar” process, which involves the planting, harvesting, fermenting, solar drying, roasting, and processing of the cacao beans into fine-flavored chocolates.

“Our chocolate is made from tree-to-bar. We grow the trees ourselves, we cultivate them, we take care of them, and process it to finished product - process it for fine flavored chocolates,” Puentespina said. “It sets us apart is that we have full control of our raw materials so we can meticulously watch over the whole process unlike just buying the beans from somebody else.”

Due to the quality of its product, Malagos Chocolate is currently putting Davao on the cacao world map. As of 2016, Davao is the source of 80% supply of cacao in the Philippines.

Despite its recent commercial launch in 2013, the Davao-based company has already bagged several prestigious international and local awards. On the same year, they were given the title ‘Best Product’ in the Philippines during the ASEAN Food Conference 2013.

They also won in the prestigious Academy of Chocolate Awards held in London, United Kingdom for two consecutive years - a bronze in 2015 and a silver in 2016. 

The company’s Malagos 100% Pure Unsweetened Chocolate was awarded the First Runner Up for Best Product for Food Ingredients Category in 2015 Katha Awards Food.

Recently, they earned a two-star accolade (with 3-star being the highest) at the 2016 Great Taste Competition of the UK's Guild of Fine Food, which is considered the ‘Oscars’ of the food world.

“What makes us exceptional is our new unique flavor profile. We do not intend to follow imported chocolates because we believe that we have a unique product. Our chocolates are fruity because of the influence of the environment we’re at in Malagos,” he said.

With quality and food safety as top priority, Malagos Chocolate has already obtained certifications from the Philippine Bureau of Plant and Industry, National Seeds Council, GMP (Good Manufacturing Practice) under the Philippine Food and Drugs Administration, United States Food & Drugs Administration (USFDA), and HALAL under the Islamic Da’wah Council of the Philippines, Inc (IDCP).

Due to their international recognition, Malagos Chocolate is now exporting to various countries, such as Thailand, Singapore, US. Currently, Japan is their top export destination.

Puentespina shared that they met their buyers from Japan at IFEX Philippines and now they are exporting an average of 1,000 kilos of cacao-based products to Japan per month.

“Our customers now in Japan, we met them at IFEX 2015. That goes to show that IFEX is a very effective marketing tool for exporters to meet serious and quality buyers,” he said. “The event also gives us an opportunity to get feedback from the export market. Chocolate is food so you let people try it to get a very good feedback on the product we’re making.”

Sowers of hope: Malagos Chocolate Owners Charita and Rex Puentespina together with local farmers in their cacao nursery in Davao City.

Puentespina said that they work with 60 to 80 farmers in the area, depending on the season, giving the local farmers livelihood. Malagos Chocolate’s continuous growth truly gives great economic impact in Davao. For every milestone they achieve, they give credit to Davao cacao farmers.

“Our company Malagos Agri-ventures corporation is part of a family-owned grouped of businesses that have always worked with nature and local farmers. Today, we produce chocolate that is proudly Philippine-made. A single-origin fine flavor chocolate that is truly tree-to-bar,” he said.

IFEX Philippines spotlights top EU brands on May 19-21

DTI-CITEM partners with ECCP, EPBN to feature leading EU firms in PH’s largest food show

Lutosa SA from Belgium, through its PH-based distributor Asia Banff International Trading Corporation, offers potato-based selections in IFEX Philippines.

Ten leading companies from the European Union (EU) are set to showcase their food products in the much-awaited 11^th edition of IFEX Philippines on May 19-21 at the World Trade Center Metro Manila (WTCMM) and the Philippine Trade Training Center (PTTC).

The Department of Trade and Industry, through its Center for International Trade Expositions and Missions (DTI-CITEM), presents in IFEX Philippines the top food brands and technologies from EU states, including Belgium, Estonia, France, Germany, Lithuania, Poland, and The Netherlands.

“Since IFEX Philippines is the Asia’s premier ethnic and ingredients show, exhibiting companies from Europe are in a strategic position to penetrate the lucrative Eastern Asian market,” says DTI-CITEM Executive Director Clayton Tugonon.

EU became IFEX Philippines’ first international partner region through a collaboration between DTI-CITEM and the European Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines (ECCP) and EU-Philippines Business Network (EPBN).

Under the EU Pavilion, 10 companies representing EU are Black Pepper Limited, Düringer Fleischkontor, Foodsniffer, Imepa B.V., Asia Banff International Trading Corporation, Mlekoma, Nestle Philippines, AInc., PW Partners, and Sante and Union de Guyenne Boxdeaux. Through its embassy, Poland will also have its own country exhibit to promote their products.

Sante, a leading health food brand in Poland, will exhibit a wide array of flavorful wholegrain products in IFEX Philippines.

Lutosa SA from Belgium, through its Philippine-based distributor Asia Banff International Trading Corporation, will offer pre-fried frozen French fries and wide range of potato specialties. Düringer Fleischkontor is bringing premium pork cuts from Germany.

PW Partners from Estonia will bring organic baby food, baby milk powder, jam, juice, fruit-concentrates, honey, liquor, cheese, butter and many more.

Black Pepper Limited targets to engage buyers with export and wholesale of their French wine, olive oil, serrano ham, and other gourmet products. Union de Guyenne Bordeaux also looks to promote their wine offerings in IFEX Philippines.

Polish company Sante will bring a wide array of health foods, such as granolas, cookies, crisp bread, rice, cakes, peanut butter, and other breakfast selections.

Mlekoma brings a variety of milk-based products like skimmed milk powder, demineralized whey powder, cream powder, yogurt powder, and fat-filled milk powder. Imepa B.V. will showcase various meat and poultry products.

Representing its mother company in Switzerland, Nestle Philippines will bring various beverages and drink complements, including creamer, hot cocoa, malted milk, ice blended beverages, coffee, juice, iced tea and lemonade, dessert, and other culinary products.

Meanwhile, the EU Pavilion will also bring the Foodsniffer, which is the world’s first handheld mobile device that determines the freshness of raw meat, poultry and fish.

Once wirelessly connected to your smartphone via app, Foodsniffer can measure raw meat gas levels, analyzes results and instantly tells you the level of its freshness and safeness to eat.

“The participation of companies from different EU states is a remarkable addition to the gallery of global flavors at the country’s biggest export-oriented food show,” said Tugonon. “Their participation is also significant in strengthening the trade relations between the Philippines and other European countries.”

The EU is one of the most important trading partners of the Philippines. Total two-way trade in 2015 amounted to €12.9 billion, or 11 percent of the total, making the EU the Philippines’ fourth-largest trading partner.

IN terms of exports, the EU is the third-largest market of the Philippines with exports of €5.7 billion in 2015. Out of Philippines’ total export to EU, food products make up around 12.5 percent.

Within the EU, 90 percent of EU-Philippine trade is concentrated among eight EU member-states—Germany, France, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, Italy, Spain, Belgium and Denmark.

As of now, the Philippines is enjoying a special trade arrangement and incentives with European countries as one of the 30 countries listed under EU’s Generalized Scheme of Preferences (GSP).

Under the EU GSP, developing countries can export goods with reduced tariffs entering the EU to stimulate economic growth and job creation in their economies. As of 2015, the Philippines avail itself of the zero preferential duties on 6,274 products going to EU states.

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IFEX Philippines is the country’s biggest international trade exhibition on the Philippines’ and Asia's ethnic and specialty food, tropical fruits, vegetables, seafood, beverages, bakery and confectionery products, meat and poultry, Halal-certified products, as well as natural, organic, and healthy food products.

It is one of the official business events in the 30^th Association of Southeast Asian Nation (ASEAN) Summit. The three-day event is organized by DTI-CITEM, in partnership with the Department of Agriculture (DA) and the ASEAN Committee on Business and Investment Promotion (CBIP), which is chaired by DTI.

Register to join the event at ifexphilippines.com.