Local feed giants ready to match world’s best at Agrilink/Foodlink

Some of the country’s leading feed manufacturers are set to display their global competitiveness against the world’s best at this year’s Agrilink and Foodlink, the Philippines’ biggest and most prestigious annual international agribusiness and food trade show.

Among them is General Agri-Foods International Inc. (GAFII), a subsidiary of local agribusiness giant General Milling Corp., whose large-scale raw material sourcing, handling and processing have expanded into broiler and pig breeding and growing.

General Milling has further expanded into new horizons through GAFII, which is involved in animal and aquatic feed production.

GAFII boasts of five brands — the Futura special series animal feeds, Kargado hog feeds, General’s Pride concentrates and Atlantika and Perlas fish feeds.

The advantages of these quality feeds will be showcased at Agrilink/Foodlink 2003, which is slated at the World Trade Center Metro Manila on Oc.t 16-18.

GAFII’s world-class and highly successful operations will be among the highlights of the twin events, aptly characterized by the theme: Corporate Citizenship: Touching Lives, Strengthening Linkages.

"...More than a mere showcase of products, technologies and services, our trade show has also evolved into a vehicle for strengthening social commitment. Going beyond retailing, companies are beginning to talk about corporate responsibility and sustainable development, involving people in the communities and making positive changes," said Rosalino Perez, project director of Agrilink and Foodlink 2003.

"After all, it is in being responsible corporate citizens where the roots of good business emanate," Perez added.

Agrilink and Foodlink have been attracting exhibitors from the Philippines, Asia, Europe, Middle East, North America and the rest of the world.

Supported by more than 30 industry associations, the trade show has also been posting huge increases in the number of visitors and in the amount of the exhibitors’ booked and negotiated sales.

The number of visitors surged from 3,000 in 1995 to 18,000 last year, while booked and negotiated sales from P27.8 million to P78 million.

Organized by the Foundation for Resource Linkage and Development (FRLD), Agrilink and Foodlink have become the ultimate showcase of the best in Philippine food and agribusiness, bringing together food processing, agriculture, breeding, horticulture and aquaculture industries under one roof and linking them with the global business community for new markets, technologies, capital and business opportunities, among others.

Other details can be obtained from FRLD, tel. 8384549, 8384852; fax 8384573 or email [email protected].

Citing output increases on almost all fronts on the food and agribusiness industries in 2002, FRLD president Antonio V. Roces projected that this trend could continue in the next 10 years.