I had a
chance to visit the International Food Exhibition Philippines (IFEX) on Sunday,
and was pleased with the number of local companies that joined the show, which
ran from 16 to 19 May at the SMX Convention Center in Manila. There were also several
contingents from Indonesia, Malaysia, Korea, Brunei and other Asian countries,
but not as many as I expected. I was told the Taiwan group cancelled their
trip as a result of the political tension caused by an incident between the
local Coast Guard and Taiwanese fishermen.
While I did
catch only the tail end of the four-day event, there were still a lot of visitors
up until late afternoon. There were mostly local delicacies and snacks – banana
chips, dried mango, peanut brittle, pork crackling, processed meat, seafood, noodles, as
well as rice wine and teas. Fresh produce and a number of herbal medications in
tablet and powder forms were on exhibit and for sale.
I was able
to speak briefly with a manufacturer of stevia products, Glorious Industrial Development
Corporation which has its stevia production site in Bulacan, north of Metro
Manila. I have a standing invitation from the production manager, Ms Michelle
Mediana, to visit. And I would surely like to see how they manufacture sugar
alternative, Sweet & Fit.
Walking
around the show floor, I saw Hermes, a supplier of the Kalliston brand of olives and olive
oils. The company is planning to market the product in the Philippines. Mr Dave
Pathan who was there from Greece vouched for the quality of the product. When
it comes to olives, I need no convincing, but he made me try the product, and
sure enough, they were truly delicious. I’ve never tasted olives – and olive
oil- as good. It’s unfortunate that Hermes could not sell their products at the
show. But I will be paying them a visit at their office in June, and I’m
excited to meet with managers Mr Pathan and Ms Catherine Galvez again, and also
to get a hold of those wonderful olives.
Many
seminars were scheduled from May 16 to 18 at the meeting rooms, while cooking demos
were held on the show floor throughout the four days. I wish I had enough time
to attend some of the food industry seminars, so next time I aim to allot more
time for my visit.
IFEX Philippines
was organised by Center for International
Trade Expositions and Missions (CITEM).
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