Philippine products shine at Food Taipei 2024

The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) reaffirmed its dedication to promoting Philippine products on the global stage by participating in Food Taipei 2024, Asia’s largest food show.

The event featured 15 Philippine exporters, showcasing the country’s diverse and innovative food and beverage offerings.

“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,” stated DTI Secretary Fred Pascual.

The Food Philippines pavilion highlighted top export products, including sauces, condiments, snack foods, coconut-based items, ready-to-eat meals, fresh seafood, juices, coffee, and beverages.

Anthony B. Rivera, Director for Commercial Affairs at the Philippine Trade and Investment Center (PTIC) in Taipei, emphasized the adaptability of these products in the Taiwanese market.

“These products can be easily paired with any food and food ingredients in Taiwan. They cater to the taste of different market segments and complement the wide selection and trends in the estimated USD 9.5 billion Taiwan food market,” Rivera said.

The 14 participating companies generated an estimated USD 7.3 million in sales, both booked and under negotiation.

Top-selling products included coconut flower syrup and sap drinks, organic and conventional coconut medium-chain triglyceride (MCT), coconut water, and coconut jams.

Additionally, 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 well-received.

Peter Huang, Secretary General of the Importers and Exporters Association of Taipei (IEAT), praised the openness of the Taiwanese market to Philippine products.

“Taiwan is an open market with a very good consumer base, and we welcome Philippine food products to come to Taiwan,” Huang remarked.

The DTI-led Tatak Pinoy Strategy (TPS) facilitated the country’s successful participation in collaboration with the PTIC Taipei, Export Marketing Bureau (EMB), Philippine Exporters Confederation Inc. (PHILEXPORT), and Philippine Food Processors and Exporters Organization Inc. (PHILFOODEX), with support from the Manila Economic and Cultural Office (MECO).

PHILEXPORT President Sergio R. Ortiz-Luis Jr. highlighted the significance of the event.

“This is a very relevant and encouraging result of the PHILEXPORT MOU with the Importers and Exporters Association of Taipei (IEAT) in 2022. 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 said.

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.