Tomato chips and banana flour are some of the local products showcased at the International Food Exhibition Philippines in Pasay City on May 26, 2023. Lady Vicencio, ABS-CBN News
MANILA - Local products and delicacies were showcased in the International Food Exhibition held in Pasay City, which opened on Friday.
Among the products on exhibit were veggie chips. Locally produced fruits and vegetables are vacuum-fried instead of fried, to retain nutrients.
The Center for International Trade and Expositions and Missions said it is aiming to boost the country’s export sales after negative growth in the first quarter of 2023.
“While we have locally-held international shows, we also have overseas fair participations where we bring them kasi iba rin yung face-to-face with the market,” IFEX Philippines Project Manager Rowena Mendoza said.
Arturo Tabbu, general manager of Lighthouse Cooperative manufactures chicha-matis or tomato chips. He said theirs is a solution to the perennial issue of oversupply during harvest season.
“We chose to process because we wanted to help the farmers. It’s a common observation during season, there’s oversupply at nasisira lang so sayang ‘yon di ba?,”Tabbu said.
The food industry was also hit with the spike in wheat and flour prices due to the Russia-Ukraine conflict. As an alternative to imported flour, banana flour is being manufactured in General Santos City.
Manufacturer Rowell Tan said banana flour can be used in baking and as breading.
“Baka pwede nating ma-compete ang imported flour dito sa Philippines. Para mabigyan ng chance ang farmers natin. Sana mabigyan ang manufacturers ng tulong, pwede nating mapantayan o mababa ang price ng imported flour,” Tan said.
Market research conducted by global market intelligence agency Mintelin in Southeast Asia showed food trends continue to favor sustainability and health.
“Sustainability is only going to evolve and become more important around the world. Some of the questions we ask Filipino consumers is what factors they consider when shopping food. Ingredients, natural products is what consumers are increasingly looking for,” Mintel head of commercial for Southeast Asia Nick Brown said.
Brown added that more consumers are patronizing products that use sustainable materials in their packaging.
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