IFEX philippines Business Solutions

IFEX Philippines offers innovative business solutions

for food exporters and importers

The Grocers Exchange, one of the notable and innovative show features of the International Food Exhibition (IFEX) Philippines 2013, gathered 30 of the country’s elite food exporters to explore possible partnerships and business ventures with some of Asia-Pacific’s top retail chain operators.

Melt Foods Inc., Markenburg, RFM, San Miguel, and Universal Robina Corporation were provided the opportunity to do business transactions such as private labeling agreements and export order taking with international food industry players like Australia’s Metcash/Metfood and Woolworths, China’s B&S Company, Beijing Hualien, Olive Tree, and Shanghai Dong Feng; Korea’s Cheil Jedang, E-Mart, and Pulmuone; UAE's Carrefour and Emke/Lulu; UK's Harrods; and US-based Sysco.

The Grocer’s Exchange Program, through its setting, the G-Mart, hopes to encourage the participants to look more closely at the huge prospects of private labeling as a market entry strategy and as a way to increase export volumes.  This will also particularly benefit the small players who may not currently have the resources to create their own brands and undertake promotional initiatives to introduce their brands to the market.

Companies who already have established brands and are interested in penetrating or expanding their share of the retail sector may also participate in the program but should be willing to enter into private labeling arrangements, should the buyer require it.

“I commend the Center for International Trade Exposition and Missions (CITEM), for their innovative idea of coming up with the Grocers Exchange Program that brought in buyers and top grocers from all over the world to transact with the Philippines’ top retailers. Our exhibitors are fortunate to be presented with this opportunity to expand their market internationally,” said Department of Trade and Industry Secretary Gregory L. Domingo.

The Grocers Exchange Program is an offshoot of IFEX Philippines’ Very Important Buyer (VIB) Program which brings together top grocers from all over the world to source for Asian food products and raw materials at the country’s premier food fair. The VIB Program, which began in 2006, is dedicated to top Asian and global food retailers that have high influence in the food distribution business. It aims to attract major food company 

decision-makers to conduct business with the world’s top food suppliers through pre-arranged business meetings with pre-screened foreign and local exhibitors in the event.

IFEX Philippines, now a biennial event, serves as the country’s premier platform for showcasing Asia’s tropical food and ingredients. It is organized by the Center for International Trade Expositions and Missions (CITEM), the export marketing arm of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), and co-organized by the Department of Agriculture – Agribusiness Marketing Assistance Service (DA-AMAS), which helps small and medium enterprises find a market for their farm produce.

IFEX Phililppines 2013 will run until 19 May 2013 while its next edition is set on 21-24 May 2015. For more information on the show, visit www.ifexphilippines.com.

Source:  CITEM Marcom

Writer:  Honeyleen Novilla