Expanding trade horizons, CITEM’s FOODPhilippines showcases at FOODEX JAPAN 2025

The Center for International Trade Expositions and Missions (CITEM) rounds off its first-quarter overseas food projects with the FOODPhilippines participation in FOODEX JAPAN 2025, happening from March 11 to 14 at the Tokyo Big Sight in the Ariake district of Koto City in Tokyo, Japan.

CITEM expects its showcase at the 50th anniversary of FOODEX to bring to the fore authentic Filipino food and ingredients, innovative products meant to appeal to a broader spectrum of global consumers. This move is part of the agency’s contribution in further solidifying bilateral trade ties between the Philippines and Japan. In 2006, the signing of the Philippines-Japan Economic Partnership Agreement (PJEPA) signified the first bilateral free trade agreement between the two countries that officially took effect in December 2008.

The FOODPhilippines exhibitors, comprising 15 food manufacturers and distributors, are among the more than 8,000 global participants looking into trade and networking opportunities from over 4,000 anticipated trade buyers for this year’s edition. These companies are: Cabadbaran Aquatech Resources; EJ Contreras Food House; Hueza Bakery; IMAI Limited; JBM Food Products; KMK Food Products; Lionheart Farms (Philippines) Corporation; Prime Fruits International, Inc.; Profood International Corporation; Sabroso Chocolate Manufacturing; See’s International Food Mfg. Corp.; Sonya Secret Garden.; Super Q; 3 Sher’s Food Products; and YanYan International Phils. Inc.

These exhibitors have integrated versatility and innovation into their products to deliver unique offerings with aspects of health and nutrition in mind, while adapting to demands for global food convenience and authentic flavors. Their products include responsibly produced and traceable whole fruits like cacao, calamansi, and coconut.

Among the sustainably farmed with origin traceability products on offer is the cacao powder from the volcanic Camiguin Island, Philippines. Photo courtesy of Sabroso Tsokolate

In addition to export favorites like banana chips, coconut flower sap-based drinks and condiments, sweet crisps with nuts and grains, and vegetable chips provide more options for healthy and ready-to-eat snacks for trade buyers and visitors to enjoy at the Philippine Pavilion located at E4-U21, East Hall section of Tokyo Big Sight.

Through FOODEX, the country can continue expanding its market share of export-ready, high value seafood products of processed fish and freshwater eel. The Philippines is already a leading exporter of tuna to the Japanese market, and among the top global producers in the Central and Western zones of the Pacific Ocean. As of November 2024, the preliminary total value of agro-based products stood at USD539M.

Live freshwater eel from the Philippine seas (from top): Unagi Shirayaki and Kansai-style Unagi Kabayaki. Photo courtesy of Cabadbaran Aquatech Resources

The FOODPhilippines participation in FOODEX JAPAN 2025 is made possible in close collaboration with the Philippine Trade and Investment Center in Tokyo (PTIC-Tokyo). After the trade fair, the Philippine delegation will engage in visits to various establishments to gain more insights about Japan’s food merchandise market. PTIC-Tokyo stands as the representative office of the Foreign Trade Service Corps (FTSC) under the Investment Promotions Group (IPG) of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI).

Simultaneously, CITEM is gearing up for its major signature food event this coming May 22 to 24, 2025 with the 18th edition of IFEX Philippines at the World Trade Center Metro Manila in Pasay City. Export offerings from the country’s best and upcoming food brands will be featured, including FOODPhilippines exhibitors. Expect to see trends and learn insights that include innovations and sustainability development in the industry.

Explore ifexconnect.com for more information, or check the official website of CITEM at citem.com.ph for news and updates about the country’s export promotion activities.