Seven local products, collectively known as the ‘Philippine Premium 7’ products, were showcased, won raves, and generated sales at the Salon International de ‘Agroalimentaire — otherwise known as Sial Paris — an international food trade exposition recently held in Paris, France.
These premium products — banana, mango, pineapple, tuna, coconut, cocoa and coffee – were featured in various forms, notably banana chips, dried mangoes, mango rum liquer, virgin coconut oil, coconut water, coconut sugar, frozen and canned tuna, fruit juices and concentrates, ice pops, and instant mixes and sauces.
Sial Paris featured some 6,300 exhibitors from 105 countries and attracted 150,000 visitors from around the globe.
The Philippine participation earned a combined sales of $24.4 million in sales, with frozen tuna as bestseller.
Among the Philippine manufacturers and traders that participated in the exhibit were: B-G Fruits and Nuts Manufacturing Corporation; Brandexports Philippines Inc.; Profood Int’l Corp., Century Pacific Food; Franklin Baker Company of the Philippines ; DLA Naturals; M. Lhuillier Food Products; GSL Premium Food Export Corporation; Mama Sita or Marigold Manufacturing Corporation; Miesto Int’l Foods; Philfresh Corporation; See’s International; Universal Robina Corporation; Jud Products; Philippine International Trading Corporation; and Philippine Grocers Food Exporters.
According to a Philippine Daily Inquirer feature story of the event (“From dried mangoes to coco sugar, PH food products a hit in Paris,” November 13, 2014), “the country’s Premium 7 brought a steady stream of foreign buyers and potential long-term trade partners to the well-lit, elegantly designed 300-square-meter Philippine pavilion adorned with huge snapshots of local delicacies.”
Written by Vangie Baga-Reyes, the story added that traders and guests gathered around a long wooden table showcasing the country’s top tropical food products. “The mix of products was designed to position the Philippines as an important global source of specialty, gourmet and artisanal food and terroir food products.”
According to Center for International Trade Expositions and Movements (CITEM) executive director Rosvi C. Gaetos, Sial Paris is a perfect platform for promoting the country’s terroir food products in the international scene, particularly the European market.
“These food products represent in a holistic way the distinct characteristics of our tropical land, our rich culinary tradition and our own innovative craftsmanship. They are the best products that our country could offer to the world.”
Photo: from inquirer.net