RP marine and coconut products make inroads in Japanese food fair

Manila, May 5 — Philippine marine products such as octopus, akegai (nylon shellfish) and takoyaki (octopus balls) along with coconut derived products generated interest from Japanese buyers in the recently concluded food exhibition in Japan.

According to the International Trade Expositions and Missions (CITEM), the Foodex 2010, is one of the world’s top food and beverage show held in Chiba, Japan.

“The Philippine participation allowed our exporters to explore further new niche areas in the international food market. It was also an opportunity for them to assess the market and benchmark their products with the rest of the world,” said Trade and Industry Secretary Jesli A. Lapus.

The Philippines is one of the main country pavilions that greeted buyers and visitors from various countries across the globe. Other countries who participated in Foodex were France, Germany, Canada, Egypt, Turkey, China, Malaysia, Austria, Spain, Italy, to name a few.

The participation in the 2010 edition of Foodex Japan is part of the government’s continuing efforts to promote Philippine products globally under the International Food Exhibition (IFEX), an international platform for unique food ideas to be held on 6-8 May 2010 at the World Trade Center Metro Manila.

“The fair enabled our exporters to see the Japanese market, the products that are in store shelves and interview clients on the taste of the Japanese consumers. It is also an opportune time for Filipino food manufacturers to look for Japanese partners that will help our local exports enter the Japanese market,” Lapus said.

The Philippine participation in Foodex is co-funded by CITEM, Department of Agriculture Agribusiness Marketing Assistance Service (DA-AMAS), and the Export Development Council.

Japan is the country's second largest export market next to the United States.

Philippine exports to Japan include fresh mangoes and vegetables, processed foods like dried fruits, tropical fruit juices, and marine products like tuna.

The 17 local food manufacturers and exporters who joined the Philippine delegation generated more than million in negotiated export sales during the 4-day event.

Foodex Japan was participated in by 2,400 exhibitors from 65 countries and regions and visited by 70,000 buyers.

The event is a platform for the movers and players of the global food industry to meet and do business, offering key opportunities and business possibilities to capture not only the Asian but the global food market as a whole.

“This is our first time to join Foodex and it’s an overwhelming experience for us because of the positive feedback not only from Japanese buyers but also buyers from Canada and the United States,” said Cel Barba, Marketing Manager of Pro Source International. ProSource is a dedicated exporter that delivers the best coconut-derived items worldwide while also providing employment to Filipino farmers.

“Buyers were amazed by the taste and the healthy attributes of our coco sugar," Barba added. Other products presented by Prosource were virgin coconut oil, desiccated coconut and coconut milk.

Coco Sugar has all natural content making it a healthy sweetener alternative among health and wellness enthusiasts. Extracted from the sap of an unopened coconut flower, this organic variety has superior health benefits than ordinary sugar. It was also one of the products featured in the 6th International Food Exhibition Philippines 2009.

"The fair also became our testing ground to check the market acceptance of our food products not only in Japan but also in the Asian market," Barba said.

On the other hand, Helendrino Morales, owner of Bluefin Seafood Export Inc., another first time exhibitor in Foodex, shared that the attendees of Foodex appreciated the optimum quality of Philippine seafood products.

“The country is lucky for enjoying rich marine resources and it’s an advantage over other countries,” Morales added.

It was also learned from the participation that the demand for marine products in Japan is so high that the Philippines should continue its aggressive campaign for these type of products. Bluefins’ best selling items are octopus, Akegai, (nylon shell shellfish) and Takoyaki (octopus balls).(PNA) V3/BAC/utb