The Department of Trade and Industry-Export Marketing Bureau (DTI-EMB), in partnership with the Philippine Trade and Investment Center (PTIC)-Seoul, organized the participation of two (2) delegations in the Seoul Food & Hotel (SFH) 2023. The delegations promoted coconut products in the Philippine coconut pavilion and plant-based snacks and beverages at the ASEAN Korea Trade Fair 2023 in Seoul, South Korea from 28 May to 05 June 2023.

The Philippine Coconut Pavilion is part of the implementation of the Coconut Farmers and Industry Development Plan (CFIDP).

The delegations are composed of the following 16 companies: Benevelle Corporation, Cattleya & Rose Gourmet Foods Trading, Fortune of Wishes Seafood Products, Fruits of Life Inc., Greenlife Coconut Products Philippines, Inc., Hijo Superfoods, Kalipunan ng Maliliit na Magniniyog ng Pilipinas Agriculture Cooperative, Kimes Food International Inc., Marigold Manufacturing Corporation, Miguelitos International Corporation, Profood International Corporation, Pinagdanlayan Multi-purpose Cooperative, Sol’s Italian Food, Theo & Philo Chocolate Factory, Eng Seng Food products, Tongsan Industrial Corporation, and Eng Seng Food Products.

SFH 2023 is Korea’s largest international food and hospitality trade show and serves as a vital business hub for sourcing premium goods by high-quality Korean buyers and getting insights on global industry trends across various sectors from industry experts. For this year’s SFH, Canada is the Country of Honor. Other countries such as the USA, Taiwan, Vietnam, Brazil, China, and parts of Europe & Africa also have country pavilions at the show.

Furthermore, ASEAN Trade Fair is organized and sponsored by the ASEAN Korea Centre (AKC) where plant-based / vegan companies receive a complimentary booth space & design, and an opportunity to attend the Capacity Building Seminar on Korean Plant-based food trends.

Philippine Ambassador to the Republic of Korea H.E. Maria Theresa B. Dizon-De Vega visited the Philippine pavilions and sampled Philippine products displayed. The featured Philippine products such as desiccated coconut, coconut water, coconut liqueur cream, and fruit and vegetable crisps were received favorably in the Korean market (supermarkets, grocery stores, and foreign buyers) particularly Shinsegae, Coupang, Lotte Mart, E-mart, and Misung.

Date of Release: 02 June 2023