RP sells $16M worth of farm products in Dubai fair

Traders and importers in the United Arab Emirates have so far placed $16 million in orders for Philippine farm products, after a government-led delegation participated in the 12th Gulf Food Fair held in Dubai last month. Among the country’s best selling products are Cavendish bananas, other fresh fruits, and processed food items. In a statement sent to the media over the weekend, the Department of Agriculture said the results of the Dubai fair surprised even government officials, who had initially anticipated only $14.9 million in sales. The Agriculture statement also said the selling mission opened more markets for Philippine products like canned tuna, coconut juice and milk, canned pineapples and special rice, and revived UAE’s interest in forging an agricultural cooperation agreement with the Philippines, particularly on the proposed creation of a halal zone in the country. This year, the Agriculture department plans to participate in eight more selling missions worldwide. These selling events include major food expos like the Foodex Japan event due this month in Chiba, which is considered Asia-Pacific’s largest food and beverage trade show. The Philippines is also expected to participate in Korea’s oldest trade expo—the Seoul International Food Exhibition to be held in April this year. The country will also join the World Food Moscow Exhibition in September, the SIAL China Exhibition in Shanghai in May, the Food and Hotel Beijing show in Beijing in June, the Food Olympics of the World 2007 in Cologne, Germany in October, the Taipei Food Show in June, and the 3rd International Hotel, Restaurant and Food Exhibition in Qatar this November. Prior to the Gulf Food Fair, the country also participated in the 8th Cross Strait Floral Expo in China last year, which yielded initial sales of over P200 million for Philippine tropical fruit exporters.-GMANews.TV