Local Companies to participate in prominent food trade show in Paris, France

To highlight the products and commodities of the Philippines, the country’s top local brands will participate in a high-impact exhibit at the Salon International de I’Alimentation (SIAL) at the Paris Nord Villepinte in Paris, France on October 21 to 25.

To expand the market presence of Philippine Food Export in the European Union (EU), twenty-four Filipino companies will be brought to Paris, France. This is in coordination with the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) through the Center for International Trade Expositions and Missions (DTI-Citem) .

Particular focus will be on products that enjoy zero-tariff privileges under the EU’s Generalized System of Preferences Plus (GSP+).

“The Philippines will return to France this year with a bigger delegation to showcase the country’s most in-demand food exports in Europe like banana chips, tuna and desiccated coconut,” said DTI-Citem Executive Director Pauline Suaco-Juan.

Food excellency sealed by SIAL Paris

SIAL Paris is one of the most prominent food trade shows in the world. SIAL Paris is a biennial food trade event, and is considered as a crossroad of world agribusiness supply and demand, as well as a springboard for food companies in the global market.

In 2016, SIAL Paris housed 7,020 exhibitors from 109 countries, and welcomed 155,766 visitors from 194 countries. Visitors include importers, wholesalers, distributors, hotel owners and representatives, restaurant and bakery owners, and online retailers across the world.

Nine of the Philippine companies joining the delegation are participating in SIAL Paris for the first time. “Most of these new companies are from Calabarzon as recommended by the DTI Region 4A and the Association of Laguna Food Processors [ALAFOP],” says Suaco-Juan:

• Century Pacific Agricultural Ventures Inc. (coconut products)
• LTH Food Industries (oatmeal, condensed milk, milk and cacao powder)
• Snapsnax Ventures (banana chips)
• Amazing Foods Corp. and Cocoplus Aquarian Development Corp. (coconut-based products and oils)
• Edna and Rebecca’s (banana chips and coated peanuts)
• Escaba Food Products Inc. (sweet preserves and jams made from tropical fruits)
• Filipinas Oro de Cacao Inc. (single origin, bean-to-bar Auro chocolate)
• Mira’s Turmeric Products (herbal turmeric and ginger brew)

Returning to SIAL Paris this year are the following companies:

• Alliance Select Food
• Amley Food Corp.
• Andy Albao Corp.
• Brandexports Philippines Inc.
• B-G Fruits and Nuts Manufacturing Corp.
• Celebes Canning Corp.
• GSL Premium Food Export Corp.
• San Miguel Purefoods Co. Inc.
• Seabest Food and Beverage Corp.
• See’s International Food Mfg. Corp.
• Seatrade Canning Corp.
• Super Q, Profood International Corp.
• Phil-Union Frozen Foods Inc.
• Prime Fruits International Inc.

“With the promising products of these companies, we are confident we can sustain the strong presence of the Philippine food sector in the European market,” said Suaco-Juan.

Rizal’s Favorite Heritage Coffee to be featured

A heritage coffee from the City Government of Cabuyao, Laguna, “Maestro 1888” is the major highlight of the Philippine delegation. “Maestro 1888” is claimed to be the same favorite robusta coffee of Dr. Jose O. Rizal, the national hero of the Philippines.

In an interview, ALAFOP Chairman Clarke Nebral said that in 1881, “the Augustinian friars introduced a variety of coffee in Tabuco, the old name of Cabuyao, named ‘Canephora’ now known as Robusta”. Historical accounts showed that from 1887 to 1889, Rizal drank the coffee while writing poems and letters to Leonor Rivera, as well as writing his novels Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo.

“As we exhibit in Paris, we want Europeans and other visitors in SIAL to be part of the renaissance of our century-old coffee heritage and let them appreciate the colorful Philippine history and culture that go along its aroma and palatable taste,” adds Nebral.

Delegation under the “FOODPhilippines” banner

The Philippine delegation is under the “FOODPhilippines” branding led by the DTI-Citem, the export promotion arm of the DTI, who is tasked to spearhead government efforts in promoting the country as a source of quality food products in the global market.

Several activities that the delegation will conduct to highlight the products will be food-tasting and a cooking demonstration at the Philippine pavilion, conducted by Filipino chef Beatriz Bautista Nitard.

DTI-Citem in cooperation with the Philippine Trade and Investment Center (PTIC) in Paris will undertake this participation in the 2018’s SIAL Paris.

via BusinessMirror