European Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines (ECCP) is helping local companies increase sales to the Asian food market, following their successful participation in the recently concluded ThaiFex World of Food Asia.

In a statement, the ECCP explained that its unit, Fairs and More Inc. (FMI), together with the Philippine Food Processors and Exporters Organization Inc. and the Center for International Trade Expositions and Missions, brought 20 Philippine food companies to the expo, deemed as one of the leading business platforms for food companies in the region.

This was part of FMI's initiatives to introduce and expose local food companies to potential foreign markets.

The visitor traffic and the number of decision makers present at the expo have proven that ThaiFex was the right venue for Philippine companies to further expand opportunities in the region, it said.

The Philippines is said to be in a good position to compete in Asia on certain food products including processed foods, ready­to­eat meals, snacks, fruit and vegetable drinks, food preserves, noodles, pastry ingredients and condiments, according to FMI.

Philippine companies that participated at ThaiFex included Agriculture Inc., Brand Exports Philippines, Chef Tony's, Chocovron Global Corp., Gem Foods Int. Inc., Global Food Solutions Inc., Handyware Philippines Inc., KSK Food Products, Mama Sita's and Marigold Manufacturing Corp. Mega Fishing Corp., MFP Home for Quality Food Corp., Monde Nissin Corp., Pearl Foods Int. Inc., Philippine Grocers Food Exports Inc., Pixcel Transglobal Foods Inc., See's Int. Food Mfg. Corp., Super Q Golden Bihon, Sure Marketing Co. Inc., and the Philippine Coffee Board were also at the expo.

FMI has been bringing Philippine companies to some of the biggest trade fairs in Europe, Middle East, and Asia while establishing networks for them to expand their respective businesses.

Last year, FMI was successful in introducing Philippine energy drinks and coconut water along with organic products to the European market when it took 22 local companies to the Anuga fair in Germany.

According to FMI, the world food retail industry is estimated to be worth $4 trillion annually with China and India racked in the top five.

Asia is also estimated to ac­ count for the bulk of the 35­percent increase in food demand by 2025.

Source: Philippine Daily Inquirer, 13 June 2014