Ripe with opportunities, the Philippines generated sales totaling US$10.36M from the recently concluded 20th China-ASEAN Expo (CAEXPO) held at the Nanning International Convention and Exhibition Center (NICEC) in Nanning, Guangxi Province, China last September 16-19, 2023.
Several of the 15 participating SMEs also successfully booked orders on top of their onsite retail performance. The fresh durian proved to be the most lucrative among the product offerings from the Philippine merchants, which comprised more than half of the sales total at US$5.4M, followed by natural-based drink options (calamansi and energy drinks) and banana chips, contributing more than US$1.0M each.
The Philippine participation is part of the country’s long-standing relations with top export trading partner China, whose import activities are valued to reach more than US$5.0 trillion in the next five years. The Philippines joined 42 other countries that made up the 1,953 exhibitors and companies present at the 20th CAEXPO this year. Of the total, 644 came from the ASEAN while non-ASEAN countries reached 738.
Philippine crowd favorites at CAEXPO 2023 include (clockwise, l-r:): Fresh durian, natural energy drink; banana chips, and calamansi juice.
In April of 2023, the Philippines successfully delivered its first shipment of fresh durian to China, signaling the activation of the agreement for direct market access between the countries during the state visit of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. in January 2023.
The top sales performance at CAEXPO 2023 of durian exhibitors from both retail and wholesale buyers reinforces the growing demand for the local durian variety in the global market. The Puyat variety from Davao boasts of a richer flavor profile than regional counterparts with its creaminess on top of its expected sweetness.
The 15 Philippine exhibitors that contributed to the USD10.36M country sales are, for food: Brics Ventures, Dataj Aquafarm Inc., Enature Energy Drinks Philippines Inc., Eng Seng Food Products, Lighthouse Cooperative, OneAsia Trader, Raspina Tropical Fruits Inc., Soyuz Foods International Inc., and 22 Propack Asia Corporation; for non-food: BDO Unibank Inc., Bebebalm, Inc., Jegen S.W.E. Enterprises, Kitsilver, Santa Praxedes Sarakat Women Weavers Association, and R&V Fly Global Travel and Tours.
During the opening ceremony of the Philippine National Pavilion, which featured City of Charm Tuguegarao City and the Philippine Export Zone Authority, CITEM Executive Director Edward Fereira emphasized, “Partnerships are key. The stronger we make these relationships work, the better our prospects for enhanced export trade development.”
He acknowledged that business continuity with China bolsters not just the growth and success of the Philippine export industry, it also signifies the commitment to sustain overall goodwill between the two countries, as well as bridging more strategic partnerships within Asia and other regions.
