FOODPhilippines Pavilion opens in China’s biggest import expo

The Philippines returns to full physical participation in the 6th China International Import Expo (CIIE) on Monday, November 6, 2023, as the world-class trade fair opens to all international and Chinese trade buyers. 

Joining the world’s biggest import-themed trade show for six (6) consecutive times, a delegation of 16 business enterprises engaged in food and beverages will be at the forefront at the National Exhibition and Convention Center in Shanghai, China.

In 2022, the country’s delegation recorded the highest yield from CIIE since it kicked off in 2018, generating a total of USD 637.7 million. A huge portion of which stems from memorandum of understanding signed between Philippine exporters and foreign trade buyers, tallying a total of USD 616.4 million in export sales. On the other hand, a sum of USD 19.61 million resulted from online sales while USD 1.26 million was registered during the 6-day trade exhibition.

DTI Undersecretary Ceferino S. Rodolfo, head of the Philippine delegation, said that the entire team behind the country's participation “remains grateful for the groundswell of support that the entire team is enjoying as this year’s edition of CIIE commenced.”

“As we have repeatedly said, a world-class expo such as CIIE offers vast opportunities for each participating country. This is an avenue for us to cement the Philippines’ reputation as a viable sourcing destination for food while forging stronger relations not only with China but with other nations as well,” Rodolfo added. 

In a media briefing organized by DTI on Tuesday, CITEM’s OIC-Project Manager Ms. Rowena Mendoza disclosed that “the Philippine delegation generated USD 7 million in terms of actual sales, exceeding its onsite sales target on the first day of the largest Chinese expo which runs until November 10, 2023.” Export sales recorded under this class are a combination of booked and those that are still under negotiation. 

Durian Industry Association of Davao City, in partnership with the Department of Agriculture (DA) and CITEM, brought the best-tasting fresh Durian to CIIE 2023. 

Central to the Philippines’ participation in CIIE this year is its homegrown Durian variety popularly known as the golden “Puyat.” The same variety takes the spotlight as the country pavilion’s key feature. 

Organized by the Center for International Trade Expositions and Missions (CITEM), this year’s participation is in cooperation with the Philippine Department of Trade and Industry - Export Marketing Bureau (DTI-EMB), Philippine Trade and Investment Center - Shanghai (PTIC-Shanghai), Philippine Department of Agriculture - Office of the Agriculture Counselor in Beijing (DA-OAC Beijing), Philippine Exporters Confederation, Inc., (PhilExport), and the Federation of Filipino Chinese Chambers of Commerce & Industry, Inc. (FFCCCII) and Philippine Airlines (PAL), CITEM's partner airline.

With the help of the DA-OAC Beijing and PTIC-Shanghai, the local food exporters joining the delegation visited various markets in Shanghai, providing them with a better understanding of Chinese consumer behavior. For its part, the Bank of China, in partnership with DTI-EMB, conducted matchmaking services for participating enterprises selected from exhibitors and trade buyers. Scheduled business-to-business  (B2B) meetings between Philippine food exporters and their prospective trade buyers were facilitated by DTI-EMB within the Philippine pavilion. PTIC-Shanghai coordinated the visits of buyers including Chinese provincial buyer groups from industry associations such as the Shanghai Food Association and the China Chamber of Commerce of Foodstuff, Native Produce and Animal By-products (CFNA).