22 October 2013 – Cologne. The Philippines recently concluded its successful participation at Anuga 2013, the world’s largest food and beverage trade fair. The 32nd edition, this year themed “Taste the Future”, took place on 10-14 October 2013 and brought together 155,000 buyers from over 187 countries. The business-to-business focused trade fair included the participation of 6,777 exhibitors, twenty (20) of which came from the Philippines.
Anuga organizers noted that recent market trends are making food companies more focused on the freshness, taste, nutrition and sustainability of their food products. Taking into account the increasingly refined sensibilities and eco-conscious orientation of consumers, the Philippines focused its “Taste by Design” Pavilion on seven premium products: banana, cacao, coconut, coffee, mango, pineapple, and tuna.
Friedhelm Dornseifer, President of the Federal Association of the German Retail Grocery Trade (BVLH), noted that “Ministers and Secretaries of State from all over the world travelled to Germany in order to visit Anuga… This strong presence underscores the position occupied by the trade fair in the global food industry. Moreover, it shows that Anuga is an important platform for promoting dialogue among international policy-makers.”
The Philippine delegation was led by Senator Cynthia Villar, who was accompanied by former Senator Manny Villar, and supported by Ambassador Maria Cleofe R. Natividad, DTI Undersecretary Ponciano C. Manalo, Jr., Special Trade Representative Jose Antonio Buencamino and CITEM Executive Director Rosvi C. Gaetos.
The Philippines “Taste by Design” Pavilion highlights 7 premium food products: banana, cacao, coconut, coffee, mango, pineapple, and tuna.
Buyers were able to sample the food and drink creations of Chef Gabby Pratts, Emma Lagoc, and Ronella Reytas. The Le Cordon Bleu-educated Pratts is perhaps best known as the Resident Chef of ABS-CBN’s Umagang Kay Ganda as well as the Corporate Executive Chef of the Aristocrat.
While noting that many exhibitors were still negotiating with potential buyers, Special Trade Representative Buencamino expected that total orders could exceed PhP 2 billion.
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