TEN Korean food processors from the South Korean Foreign Trade Service Corps (FTSC) will come in May to help improve food processing and branding of Philippine products.
Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Regional Director Maria Belena Ambi Wednesday, February 8, said the Koreans will also talk and mentor local food processors willing to learn more about food processing technologies.
Before the International Food Expo in Manila, the South Korean processors will first come to Davao City.
“South Korean FTSC will be bringing in big food processors from Korea to visit Davao and evaluate our food processing capacity. They can partner, not only in terms of trading, but also in terms of technology. There might possibly be a partnership on technology because it is important when we talk about quality processed food,” Ambi said.
Around 30 food processors in the region with big potentials will be considered for the said meeting with the FTSC, given that they already have a Food and Drug Administration registration.
She added part of what the local processors will learn are the proper and high-quality packaging that should be followed especially for products that are being exported by the region. They will also learn about proper food preparation that should conform to the requirement of the buying country.
“The country will tell us about their requirement on food, so we should know how we prepare it. If we can’t do it yet, the Korean FTSC can assist us with machineries and equipment. We are looking in that particular partnership and investments,” Ambi said.
The event will be in preparation for the Philippines' participation to the biggest food expo in South Korea which will be held in November.
Ambi said they hope to bring in local food processors there, too, so they would be exposed to wider market and other products.
Because of South Korean's fondness for spicy food, DTI also looks at the possibility of developing trades of hot chili products which would be included in the FTSC and food processors meeting in May.