Food exporters attend Japanese trade fairs, earn millions of dollars
GMANews.TV, Philippines
Food exporters attend Japanese trade fairs, earn millions of dollars
31 March 2009
MANILA, Philippines - Philippine food exporters were able to sell millions of dollars worth of their products after participating in a business mission and a trade fair in Japan, the country’s third-largest export market.
Eighteen food companies earned $5.5 million by participating in the Foodex trade fair held at Makuhari Messe, Chiba, Japan from March 3 to 6, the Bureau of Export Trade Promotion (BETP) said.
The 34th Foodex trade fair was attended by 2,393 exhibitors representing 59 countries.
Of these 18 exporters, 14 also attended the outbound business mission (OBM) held at the Philippine Trade and Investment Center in Tokyo, earning an additional $4.3 million for the companies.
The OBM was attended by 69 representatives from 54 Japanese companies.
Sales generated by the OBM amounted to $ 4.26 million, more than four (4) times higher than expectations of $1 million.
These export-promotion activities are just two of various government efforts conducted to take advantage of opportunities for local businesses under the Japan-Philippines Economic Partnership Agreement (JPEPA).
Food exporters promoted a wide range of products, including ready to eat and ready to cook food such as jams, jellies, nata de coco, frozen/pickled mango and mango halves, and other kinds of dried fruits.
Marine products such as canned and processed tuna were also promoted.
Filipino delegates also visited the 100 yen shops, train station shops, Lawson (a 24 hours convenience store) and Itoyokado, a major supermarket in Japan. It was noted that these shops do not carry Philippine food products in its packaging.
Exports to Japan reached $7.68 billion in 2008, up by 5.19 percent compared to the same period in 2007. - GMANews.TV
