Philippines eyes trade and investments in tropical fruits at ANUGA 2011

Sept. 8, 2011 - PRLog -- The Philippines aims to carve a greater slice of the US$4 billion global market for fresh and processed tropical fruits as it participates in ANUGA 2011, the world's largest food and beverage fair, to be held on 12-18 October 2011 in Cologne, Germany.

The United Nations Food Agricultural Organization (UN FAO) forecasts that by 2014, global imports of fresh and processed tropical fruit products will reach as much as 3.6 million tonnes, with 81 percent or 2.6 million tonnes destined for developed country markets. Together, the United States and the European Community account for 70 percent of this demand, where increased health consumer awareness currently spur diets with more fruit and natural edibles.

The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), through the Center for International Trade Expositions and Missions (CITEM), will lead the Philippine delegation to the show as part of the government's efforts to market the Philippines as a major source of tropical fruit products.

"We want to showcase the great potential of the Philippines' wide array of fruits as raw materials that can complement and supply the food processing and allied industries of international markets such as the confectionery, hotel and restaurant, and catering services sectors," said Rosvi C. Gaetos, Executive Director of CITEM.

The Philippines is a major producer of tropical fruits such as banana, pineapple, and mango which are also the country's top agricultural exports in terms of volume and value. From 2006 to 2010, overseas demand for Philippine fruit purees and juices showed an annual average growth rate of 5.62%, according to the Board of Investments (BOI).

"We are confident that we can generate significant interest in our fruit products and meet the exacting demands of the German food and beverage market, which is the largest one in Europe," says Gaetos.

The Philippine participation includes the following companies: Agrinurture, Inc. (fresh and processed fruit products, frozen vegetables), Amley Food Corp. (dried mangoes, pineapples, papayas), B-G Fruits & Nuts Manufacturing Corp. (banana chips), Brandexports Philippines, Inc. (fruit products, noodles, sauces, condiments, Phlippine ethnic food), GSL Premium Food Export Corp. (banana chips), Martsons Food Corp. (fruit products), Mega Fishing Corp. (sardines in jitney cans, pouches, and clubcans; dried and bottled fish), Oceanic Exports (Manila), Inc. (fruit products, noodles, sauces, condiments, Phlippine ethnic food), Philfresh Corp (yellowfin tuna products), Philippine Grocers Food Exports, Inc. (fruit products, noodles, sauces, condiments, Phlippine ethnic food), Prime Fruits International, Inc. (banana chips), Primex Group of Companies (desiccated coconuts), Q-Phil Products International (fruit products, noodles, sauces, condiments, Phlippine ethnic food), See's International Food Mfg. Corp. (banana chips, dried fruit cocktails, fried corn), Snapsnax Ventures, Inc. (banana chips), and Superstar Coconut Products (coconut products, banana chips).

For more information, visit www.citem.com/anuga2011 or email publicity@citem.com.ph.

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The Center for International Trade Expositions and Missions (CITEM) is an export promotions arm of the Philippine Department of Trade and Industry.