FIFTEEN exhibitors from Davao Region are participating in the International Food Exposition (Ifex) at the World Trade Center, Pasay City from May 19 to 21.
Jane Abadilla, supervising agriculturist of the Agribusiness and Marketing Assistance Services (Amas) of the Department of Agriculture (DA), said Wednesday, May 17, they give priority to those enterprises with products that are of exportable quality already but are still small scale.
Expected products that will be showcased from the region include cacao, coffee, vegetables, and coconut products including coco sugar.
She added the participating enterprises are all ready for any future exporting opportunities that may result in the business to business meetings that will take place within the three-day event as well.
“Usually, the greatest challenge that some enterprises face once they are given the chance to export is their product sustainability. They should make sure that they are able to at least meet the quality demand of the country they are exporting to,” said Abadilla.
Clayton Tugonon, Center for International Trade Expositions and Missions (Citem) executive director, said they look forward to closing new deals and partnerships with the different international buyers given that only the best agricultural products are showcased in the said event.
The Philippine exporters and business support organizations (BSO) can be found at the Food Philippines Hall, featuring the distinct flavors of the different provinces of the country at the Food Artisans Village as presented by DA-Amas.
Aside from that, fabricated food machineries by the Food Innovations Centers (FICs) and the Department of Science and Technology-Industrial Technology Development Institute (DOST-ITDI) will be located at the Food Innovation Gallery.
Countries that will participate in this year’s Ifex include Korea and Taiwan and other countries in Europe and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean).
Previous agricultural enterprises in Davao which used to participate in the earlier Ifex were Puentespina Farms and Fedco.
According to the expo’s official website, Ifex Philippines is the largest “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.” (JPA)