|
Sunday, March 23, 2003
Mindanao's fish and fruits on display at China exhibit
ELEVEN food-producing companies from Mindanao will bring the region's best fresh and processed fish and fruit products to China from March 27 to 30.
The producers are joining the Philippines' Solo Country
The exhibition is composed of a 40-member delegation from Mindanao, which includes business support organization leaders and local government officials.
The Mindanao Business Council (MBC) is spearheading the group with assistance from the Growth with Equity in Mindanao (GEM) Program.
"Our delegation will concentrate on promoting Mindanao's strengths our delicious fish and fruits which we hope will catch the attention of Chinese consumers," said Joji Ilagan-Bian, MBC chairperson.
"The majority of exhibitors are already exporting to Europe, USA, Middle East, and Asian countries other than China, so we are very confident about the quality of our products."
The Department of Trade and Industry, through its Center for International Trade Expositions and Missions, organized the three-day exhibit at the Shanghai Exhibition Center dubbed "Philippines-China: Ties That Bind". The Philippine Exporters Confederation Inc. and the Committee on Trade and Industry of the Philippine House of Representatives are supporting this landmark event that seeks to continue and strengthen the country's trade relationship with China.
With its 350 million urban consumers and a food business worth $100 billion, China is already the second largest export market for Philippine fruits. In 2001, the country shipped out $42.5 million worth of fruits composed of banana, pineapple, and mango, the bulk of which comes from Mindanao.
The Mindanao group has been allotted its own pavilion, which will showcase fresh durian, mangoes, coconut, and banana. Popular snack foods such as tropical fruit mixes, preserved fruit, jams, jellies and local beverages also will be on display. Likewise, different varieties of frozen, dried, boneless, brined and processed milkfish, pompano and tuna will be part of the exhibit.
"Usually our target markets abroad are Filipino communities. However, we want to explore the Chinese market to see if we can expand there," said Rico Villareal, product development manager of Alson's Aquaculture Corporation, one of the Mindanao exhibitors. The General Santos City-based Alsons exports about 100 tons of assorted milkfish products annually to the USA and Canada.
This view is echoed by Christina Ramos, plant manager of Sodaco Agricultural Corporation in Davao City, which sells processed fruit products under the brand names SunGee and Coco Royale in the USA, Korea, Hongkong, Japan, Australia and Taiwan.
"We want to expand our market in Asia, learn more about the Chinese market, and hopefully, get inquiries from Chinese buyers," Ramos said.
Other Mindanao-based companies joining the China exhibit include ACH Corporation from Cotabato City; Fil-Nihon Kanyou Plantation Inc. and Maharlika Agro-Marine Ventures Corporation from Davao City; Sunbliss International Eximports from South Cotabato; TSP Marine Industries, RD Corporation, and San Andres Fishing Industries, Inc. from General Santos City; Mega Fishing Corporation from Zamboanga City; and Dole Philippines which has facilities in both Southern and Northern Mindanao.
The Mindanao delegation will also go on market reconnaissance trips in Shanghai, and then to Guangdong, Guangzhou, and Shenzhen from April 1 to 6.
They will meet with importers and learn more about the marketing system as well as government regulations on quarantine and customs in China. GEM
(March 23, 2003 issue)
Want Sun.Star news on your mobile phone? Click here.
Write letter to the editor. Click here.
Join the Sun.Star message board. Click here. |
|
[return to top]
[home]
[network page]
|
LOCAL NEWS
BUSINESS
OPINION
SPORTS
LIFESTYLE
FEATURE
SUPERBALITA
WEEKEND
|
