Bringing the vibrant and healthy flavors of the Philippines to the global stage, the Center for International Trade Expositions and Missions (CITEM) through FOODPhilippines has just recently concluded its participation at Anuga 2025 in Cologne, Germany.
The Philippine delegation, composed of 17 dynamic small and medium enterprises (SMEs), showcased a premium selection of Halal and organic-certified food products, targeting the growing demand from European consumers.
Under the banner of FOODPhilippines, the country’s participation highlighted major exports that enjoy tariff exemptions in the European Union (EU), including healthy fats and oils, and preparations of fruits, seafood, and vegetables.
The Philippines has long been a source of premium agricultural products like coconut, mango, pineapple, and tuna. Combining tradition and innovation to suit international palates, Anuga 2025 attendees had the chance to explore a diverse range of these products including milkfish, sauteed shrimp paste (bagoong), dried fish, calamansi and coconut concentrates, fruit preserves, and unique snacks like the rare Pili nut from the Bicol region, along with banana chips and puffed corn nuts (chichacorn).
These offerings were developed with a strong focus on Halal-certified and organic products to cater to the ethical and dietary preferences of a broad consumer base in Europe.
Demonstrating their competitiveness, several exhibitors have already achieved highly recognized international certifications, such as those from the British Retail Consortium (BRC), one of the world’s most accepted food safety standards. These companies include GSL Premium Food Export Corp., Lionheart Farms, Philbest Canning Corporation, Seatrade Canning Corporation (SCC), and See’s International Food Manufacturing Corporation.
The CITEM-led delegation aimed to build on the momentum from the previous Anuga 2023, which generated an estimated USD22.92 million in reported sales, with canned seafood, banana chips, and snacks proving to be the most popular offerings.
This year’s participation was buoyed by the country’s strong performance in the EU market. According to a Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) report, exports of agricultural goods to EU member countries in 2024 reached USD1.53 billion, contributing 19 percent to the country’s total exports to the region. The Philippines’ existing trade incentives under the Generalized Scheme of Preferences Plus (GSP+) further enhanced the export opportunities for participating exhibitors.
The Philippine delegation at Anuga 2025 includes Fitrite Inc., GSL Premium Food Export Corp., Ilocos Food Products (IFP), Lionheart Farms, McCormick Philippines Inc., Mega Prime Foods Inc., Nanoinovation Inc. x Anjo Farms, Ngosiok Marketing (Super Q), Phenomenon Group Inc., Philbest Canning Corporation, Pilicrush Food Enterprise, Pixel Transglobal Foods Inc., Profood International Corporation, Q-Phil International Trading, Sangkutsa Food Products Inc., Seatrade Canning Corporation (SCC), and See’s International Food Manufacturing Corporation.
