When we say that Filipinos love food, we mean that we go the extra mile to prepare, innovate, and share it with others—even to those beyond our borders.
We see this enthusiasm for good food and drink in the classic salu-salo: a celebration of diverse dishes and drinks, all consumed with great company and a lively atmosphere. It’s this food-based camaraderie and love that’s distinctly Filipino—anyone can join in the salu-salo, because food is best enjoyed with a lot of people.
This is one of the guiding principles that motivated the Philippines to return for the fourth time to the China International Import Expo (CIIE), held at the National Exhibition and Convention Center, Shanghai, China from November 5 to 10, 2021. The expo is the first national-level import-themed professional trade fair in the world, geared toward fostering friendly relations among China and its trade partners.
With overall lifestyle changes and the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, Chinese consumers have begun to realize the importance of health, prioritizing a better quality of life. They are more keen to buy and consume products aligned with a healthier lifestyle, which the Philippines is more than ready to address with its diverse food selections.
Led by the Center for International Trade Expositions and Missions (CITEM), the country sent forty (40) food and beverage companies to participate in a hybrid (online and on-site) setup to meet prospective buyers and business partners. The delegation offered a roster of healthy and natural selections, ranging from tropical fruits and vegetables, processed fruits and nuts, healthy snacks, seafood and marine products, among others.
Aside from addressing the demand for healthy and natural products, CITEM’s hybrid participation at CIIE 2021—especially with the online setup—lso runs in line with the rise of the online grocer in China, with more consumers opting to purchase their daily and special food and beverage needs online. E-commerce for groceries and fresh goods is expected to boom in the next few years, given the increased adoption of online buying channels and better logistics practices.
The companies that made it to the roster for this year’s participation in the CIIE were the following: AG Grays Farm, Agri Nurture, Avante Agri, B&C Healthy, Century Pacific Food Inc., CJ Uniworld, CPAVI, DOLE Asia Holdings, DOLE Package Foods, Eau de Coco Inc., Eng Seng Food Products, Excellent Quality Goods Supply Co., Fisher Farms, GERB, Goodsense, Hancole, Hijo Resources Corp., Innovative Packaging, Islandfun, Jegen SWE, JNRM Corp., Jugard Food Company, M Lhuillier Food, Magicmelt, Marigold Manufacturing Corp., Monde Nissin, Nutri Asia, Oleofats, Orich International Traders Inc., Raspina Tropical Fruits Inc., Rebisco, S&W Fine Food., Sees International Food Manufacturing Corp., Sunnjef Plantation Inc., Tanduay, Team Asia Corp., Uni Steady, Vegetari, and Weambard.
The FOODPhilippines participation in CIIE 2021 is organized with the support of DTI Secretary Ramon Lopez and Undersecretary Abdulgani Macatoman, and also in partnership with the Foreign Trade Services Corps (FTSC) through the Philippine Trade & Investment Centers (PTICs) in Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, and Hong Kong and the Export Marketing Bureau (EMB). Government partners are the Department of Agriculture (DA) through the Office of the Agricultural Counsellor in Beijing (DA-OAC-Beijing) and the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA).
The project is likewise supported by business associations such as the Philippine Exporters Confederation, Inc. (PHILEXPORT) and the Federation of Filipino-Chinese Chambers of Commerce & Industry, Inc. (FFCCCII).
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