The Filipino-Chinese Baker’s Association Inc. (FCBAI) spearheaded the successful annual Bakery Fair from March 2 to 4.
The much-awaited annual ‘Bakery Fair’ took full swing, at the World Trade Center in Pasay City, with hundreds of exhibitors and spectators from all over the country. Resource speakers from other countries shared the secrets for thriving in such a highly volatile but exciting industry.
The annual celebration coincided with the ongoing recovery track that the local baking industry has been following ever since the local economy plummeted and came to a standstill due to the pandemic. The industry remains optimistic about its future, given that its share of the economy remains significant and necessary.
“May na-google kami kanina, yung presidente; mag nagsabi sa internet, 988 million dollars (US) daw noong 2019—halos half a billion dollars,” shared Vice President Wilson Flores, who seemingly confirmed the figures.
As per our research, the bakery and cereals sector was a thriving and very profitable industry, whose size was valued at 2.04 billion US dollars. Note that this figure includes the cereal segment of the industry.
It is perhaps for this reason that the local baking industry has taken its time to bounce back, in the wake of the pandemic. During the press conference for the fair last February 13, at the Oriental Palace in Tomas Morato, Quezon City, the officials of the FCBAI took their chance to express their optimism for the industry. They shared why it was necessary to raise the prices of popular pieces of bread, including Pinoy tasty and pandesal.
“Two pesos, kung tutuusin hindi pa kasya ‘yun, pero puwede na rin sa presyo niya, “ said former president, Henry Ah, who referred to the two-peso price increase, approved by the government. FCBAI applied for a four-peso increase on Pinoy tasty bread. Ah, however, reiterated that they respect the government’s move, albeit their hope of getting their request for a higher increase granted in the future.
FCBAI expressed excitement about what lies ahead, despite the frustration over how much these commodities can sustain due to the sector’s failure to get the minimum price increase requested. An indication of this excitement was how prepared the association and industry were for the return of the Bakery Fair.
This year 136 exhibitors and thousands of participants participated in the event, which signaled the revival of the Philippine baking industry, in the post-pandemic era. Of course, with resource speakers from across the world, the fair also imparted secrets and tools to survive the evolving industry. This industry remains one of the most significant for Filipinos, especially today.
