TO HELP new and existing players in the bakery industry continue to flourish and become more competitive in this post-pandemic business environment amid elevated inflation, the Mandaue Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MCCI) is bringing back Bakery World 2023.
The exhibit is expected to draw at least 135 exhibitors. It is scheduled to run from Sept. 14 to 16, 2023 inside the Grand Ballroom of the Waterfront Cebu City Hotel and Casino.
“This exhibit is one of MCCI’s efforts to provide opportunities to various stakeholders in the baking and food industry in the Visayas and Mindanao for them to be more competitive and open more markets for their businesses,” said MCCI president and Bakery World 2023 chairman Kelie Ko on Friday, April 28, 2023.
He noted that participants will be able to see and learn the latest technologies, innovations and trends in the baking industry that will help big and small players improve the products and services and increase their bottomline.
Due to the increased demand for baked goods to cater to the growing population, the bakery industry has grown exponentially. Revenue in bread and bakery products is expected to grow by 6.63 percent annually.
“In a very competitive business such as this, every industry needs to level up in order to survive and continue to flourish,” he said.
Alternative products
Bakery World 2023 will feature alternative baking products that would help entrepreneurs stay on and be competitive in the business amid the elevated inflation and unstable supply of raw materials.
The inflation rate in March dropped to 7.6 percent from the 8.6 percent inflation rate in February. But it remains high.
Peter Limquiaco, president of Global Pacific Distribution Network Corp., said the bakery business is one of the challenged industries because of high costs.
“Prices of raw materials are going up, but there’s a lot of alternative, value for money, maybe similar in taste but better in cost ingredients that are now available that can give our bakers the opportunity to earn more,” he said.
He cited the likes of alternative sugars, new kinds of flour, new origin but of similar quality raw materials and less fat content butter, among others.
“The Bakery World this year will highlight new products and new innovations,” said Brandon Sy, president of Ever Consumer Sales Inc. He noted that a lot of upgrades in the industry have happened since 2018.
Moreover, the upcoming expo will also help new players in the industry get access to bakery ingredients and new innovative technologies in the supply chain.
“During the (Covid-19) pandemic, there were a lot of people who lost their jobs who started businesses, and these people have come up with good products. In a way we are trying to help not only the established ones but also the new ones who don’t have access to bakery ingredients and new innovative technologies. We are trying to help them by linking them with possible suppliers,” said Ko.
First run
During the first run of Bakery World in 2018, it was able to draw 57 exhibitors in 113 booths. The event was well attended by personalities in the baking industry from the Philippines, Malaysia, South Korea, Taiwan and the United States of America.
There were more than 5,000 visitors who came during the three-day show. The event featured 20 baking demonstrations and seminars with 24 speakers from the baking and food industry.
“The year 2023 is a very exciting yet critical year as the world finally emerges from the global pandemic. This is a time for new beginnings, of renewal, change and new opportunities as we forge ahead to a new era,” Ko said.
He noted that the supply and logistics aspects of the business have now improved since the Russian invasion of Ukraine caused global disruptions last year.
“It has improved a lot. Most of the problem last year was more on logistics. The products were available, but there was no way to bring them to us, especially that we are a smaller market compared to other developed economies. I think the logistics companies have learned to get around so the supplies could come in,” said Ko.
The Philippine baking industry sources its flour from the US, Australia and Turkey.