DESPITE being one of the least affected countries by the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic, last year’s food export of Taiwan to the Philippines had slowed down a bit.
According to the CPT Statistics Database, the volume of Taiwanese food products that was shipped to the country in 2020 aggregated to 44,940 metric tons (MT) amounting to $100.998 million.
These figures were lower compared to its 2019 record of 58,908 MT of Taiwan’s food export here, with a total value of $119.169 million.
The Philippines remains a small but significant export market for Taiwan’s food industry, which last year was able to deliver 2,091,608 MT of edible products at $4.9 billion globally.
Confident on the trade relations between the two Asian neighbors amid the unprecedented health crisis, Taiwan External Trade Development Council (TAITRA) is organizing the Kaohsiung Food Show (KFS) 2021 happening on-site at the Kaohsiung Exhibition Center from October 28 to 31 and online via a virtual exhibition from October 28 to November 25.
This annual event will provide the Philippines and the rest of the world a glimpse of Taiwan’s world-class and robust food industry.
It shall, likewise, serve as an effective and excellent vehicle for food show exhibitors to cultivate and establish business contacts and build a strong network of reliable suppliers and trustworthy partners.
“Most of the exhibitors of KFS are companies located in southern Taiwan. Therefore, KFS serves as the best procurement platform for buyers from Southeast Asia to look for Taiwan partners who wish to expand market in Southeast Asia. However, due to the impact of the pandemic, virtual booth will be a better choice for product presentation should there are still restrictions for foreigners in October,” TAITRA told the BusinessMirror in an e-mail interview.
There will be about 232 exhibitors, 340 booths and an expected 20,000 visitors. On exhibition will be a great array of food items, such as fresh fruits and agricultural products, meat, dairy and fish products, condiments, frozen and prepared products, dehydrated food stuff, coffee, tea, wine and spirits, beverages, confections and cookies, and health food/leisure food, including food-related products and services, that visitors and other guests can take a look or even choose from.
For a more fruitful congregation, there will also be one-on-one online food procurement meetings, food-related seminars, product launches and a culinary competition.
KFS 2021 is sponsored by the Bureau of Foreign Trade, Ministry of Economic Affairs, and co-organized by the Marine Bureau of Kaohsiung City Government.
Another upcoming event to watch out for by exporters and buyers is the Food Taipei Mega Shows, happening from October 6 to October 9 at the Taipei Nangang Exhibition Center Halls 1 and 2.
Expected to host a total of 4,000 plus booths, it will have a forum to share the latest information and other activities lined up about Taiwan’s burgeoning food industry.
“Over the years, Taiwanese food manufacturers have tried their efforts to bring out their best products to both domestic and global buyers,” said Clement Chen, director of Taiwan Trade Center, Manila.
To do so and improve further their business, he noted that they are keeping tab of the current global food trends, including the popularity of plant-based products, which yearly grows by 10 percent to 20 percent in terms of consumption; the growing awareness on sustainability, wherein around 65 percent of the global consumers consider “environment-friendly” packaging and ingredients of the food they buy and eat; as well as the rise of frozen food, probiotics, and consumer snacks amid the pandemic.
“These are [the new food trends] that we see now the Taiwanese companies are focusing on producing,” he stressed.