Philippines to hold biggest international food trade show

MANILA, Philippines — The 17th International Food Exhibition (IFEX) Philippines, the country’s biggest international trade exhibition for food and ingredients, is set to showcase on May 10 to 12 more than export-ready quality products from hundreds of exhibitors and key players in the food community.

The 17th edition, themed “It’s a Salu-Salo. Find the Best Flavors and Ingredients Here,’’ organized by the Center for International Trade Expositions and Missions (CITEM), is also creating an opportune space to echo today’s consumer insights for multifaceted food choices under FAST Catch – where products render Functional, Authentic, Sustainable elements and some Twist in the way we prepare and think about certain eats. This comes on the heels of a growing global consumer shift toward more nutritious, organic, ethical and standardized products and practices.

A taste for FAST blends

As part of the Flavor Finds show features of IFEX Philippines 2024, selections under FAST Catch will highlight emerging food and beverages in four ways:

• Functional – pertains to food supplemented by health-enhancing properties, such as naturally fiber-rich and vitamin-rich, anti-inflammatory, and mood-regulating, among others. Prime examples of these products that promote well-being are organic teas, fruit or vegetable-based beverages, fresh food, and select grains; ?

• Authentic – reflects aspects of a people’s identity, regional practice, or adheres to processes or materials that prioritize culture and quality in equal measure. These include ?heirloom grains, pre-colonial crops like ube or purple yam, and local single origin products;

• Sustainable – puts premium on environmental health, including mitigation of food waste. Under this category are food and ingredients that are highly adaptable to climate conditions to ensure continuous supply – all of which are essential to food security. Expect to find fresh varieties and products made of coconut, banana, mangoes and pineapples in this section. These fruits are part of the Premium 7– the country’s top export food products based on supply.

• Twist – favors an array of food and drinks that have been reimagined to make eating more convenient, fun and inviting to consumers, including those with certain food preferences. On-the-go or ready-to-eat items, produce mimicking meat or seafood and other vegan-friendly creations represent this line. ?

Discovering. Engaging. Connecting.

Aside from FAST, buyers and visitors can explore thousands of food offering from IFEX Philippines 2024 exhibitors and partners in two major spaces: Trade Hall and Marketplace – where local and global flavors from established and new SMEs engaged in the food industry await buyers and foodies alike. The Trade Hall, in general, is a food exhibition focusing on the interests of trade buyers, which include direct sourcing experience, business-matching activities, daily food samplings and meetings with food exporters and suppliers. This hall is also home to the Open House, where private and public partners present their development and promotion programs and initiatives that champion the food SMEs.

Participating event partners include the Department of Agriculture , Department of Trade and Industry Halal Industry Development Office and Plant-Based Association of the Philippines. ?