Healthy choices of vegetarian cracklings, baked fruit crisps, banana chips, pickled mangoes, preserved fruits and vegetables, coconut oil, nuts, peanuts, calamansi beverages, sauces and condiments, canned sardines, and ready-to-eat dishes, among other innovative food offerings, were paraded at the Food Philippines Pavilion of the 33rd Taipei International Food Show on June 14-17, 2023 at the Taipei Nangang Exhibition Center in Taiwan.
The Food Philippines Pavilion featured an all-inclusive showcase of products manufactured by micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) and well-established companies from the Philippines, in an integrated promotion campaign to increase the country’s exports.
The Philippine participation in this mega food fair was made possible by Department of Trade and Industry (DTI)’s overseas arm, the Philippine Trade and Investment Center (PTIC) Taipei, in collaboration with DTI Export Marketing Bureau, Philippine Exporters Confederation (PHILEXPORT), Export Development Council (EDC), Philippine Food Processors and Exporters Organization, Inc. (PHILFOODEX), Importers and Exporters Association of Taipei (IEAT), and Taiwan External Trade Development Council (TAITRA).
Through the Philippine participation at the Taipei International Food Show, DTI continues to implement the strategic priorities identified in the recently launched Philippine Export Development Plan (PEDP), pursuant to the economic agenda of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.
The initiative supports the DTI agenda to increase demand and intensify promotional efforts in priority export markets, diversify Philippine products and services, mainstream brands, and boost the capabilities of Philippine exporters and generate more jobs.
“We have a growing opportunity to offer more innovative products from the Philippines to Taiwan. The favorable response from the market is very encouraging and we are pleased to showcase more of what the Philippines could offer in time for the Food Show 2023 in Taipei,” PTIC Taipei and Manila Economic and Cultural Office (MECO) Director for Commercial Affairs Anthony B. Rivera said.
In 2022, Taiwan ranked 8th in terms of total trade with the Philippines, 7th in export market, and 8th in import supply.
Food exports to Taiwan increased by around 3% in 2022 from USD49.68 million to USD51.11 million, reinforced mainly by fresh or chilled fish and baked confectioneries.
“Our focus is to diversify our export offerings to Taiwan, and we see the significant role of the food industry from the Philippines in this collaborative undertaking. We are delighted to see the growing opportunities for collaboration and cooperation for Philippine food in the Taiwan market. We are confident that this sector will further contribute to strengthening our trade with Taiwan,” MECO Taipei Chairman Silvestre H. Bello III said.
