A wide shot of a bustling indoor event, possibly a trade show or exhibition, featuring a brightly colored booth with the text 'FOODPhilippines' and 'SHARE THE LOVE FOR FILIPINO FLAVORS'. The booth is predominantly green and features various food products and promotional materials. A large crowd of people is visible, suggesting a busy and well-attended event. Some individuals appear to be of Middle Eastern or possibly North African descent, based on their attire and general appearance. The caption mentions 'Gulfood 2025' and 'Middle East and Africa (MEA)', implying that this is an international food trade event. The overall atmosphere is lively and commercial, indicating a focus on business connections and trade deals. A logo for 'dti' is visible in the lower right corner, suggesting a connection to the Philippine Department of Trade and Industry.
FOODPhilippines exhibitors make solid connections at Gulfood 2025, benefiting from international trade deals in Middle East and Africa (MEA) and neighboring regions.

The FOODPhilippines participation organized by the Center for International Trade Expositions and Missions (CITEM) was able to pull in a collective US$135.587M in total sales for its 20th engagement at Gulfood 2025. Nineteen FOODPhilippines exhibitors brought an impressive showcase of the country’s premium F&B offerings in tune with today’s global call for healthy, inclusive, and sustainable fare, helping exceed last year’s US$133M income.

Held from February 17 to 21, 2025 at the Dubai World Trade Center in Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE), the group brought together selections mirroring the strong demand for food that prioritizes healthy nutrition, natural ingredients, and long term viability. These are key factors for meeting the UAE and neighboring regions’ concentrated halal market consumption and regulations.

A group of individuals, who appear to be mostly women, are posing for a group photograph in front of a brightly colored booth at an indoor event, possibly a trade show. The booth has the text 'FOODPhilippines' and 'SHARE THE LOVE FOR FILIPINO FLAVORS'. The caption identifies two individuals in the front row as Atty. Anna Grace Marpuri and Chol dela Paz, and mentions they coordinated with exhibitors throughout the trade show. The individuals in the photograph appear to be of diverse ages and possibly of East or Southeast Asian descent, based on visual cues. They are dressed in business casual or professional attire, suggesting they are participants or organizers of the event. The booth and the presence of a 'dti' logo suggest a connection to the Philippine Department of Trade and Industry. The overall setting appears to be a busy and commercial environment, possibly a food-related trade exhibition.
CITEM onsite Project Manager Atty. Anna Grace Marpuri and Assistant Project Manager Chol dela Paz (front, 6th and 7th from left) coordinated with FOODPhilippines exhibitors throughout the trade show.

Considered the world’s largest network for the F&B industry, Gulfood 2025 proved to be a lucrative market for fresh and processed Philippine seafood, fruits, vegetables, grains, and cereal products. These segments made up a large portion of the participation’s revenues from the event. Garnering the most sales were products offered by PIXCEL Transglobal Food, Inc., SL Agritech Corporation, and Lionheart Farms (Philippines) Corporation.

PIXCEL played well into its knowledge and experience as a seasoned consolidator of trusted Filipino brands to cater to the large OFW community, as well as international consumers in the UAE, Middle East, and Africa who have become quite familiar with Philippine food through the years. The company’s product offerings included a variety of seafood, fruits, and vegetable items.

SL Agritech’s premium rice varieties and cavendish bananas also fit well into the healthy, halal-friendly regular diet across Muslim communities. Adding to the company’s solid export market reputation is its sustainable practices aligned with global green initiatives.

As for Lionheart Farms, it continues to strengthen its niche market specialization in premium coconut products as it takes advantage of the expanding market trend for coconut-based, healthy, and natural ingredients. In addition, Lionheart’s innovative and traceable farming solutions have made it a trusted export brand.

A collage of four food-related images. The top-left image shows a small jar of red paste, possibly a condiment or sauce, being scooped with a spoon. Two other jars are visible in the background, suggesting a selection of preserved food items. The top-right image features various bottles and jars of sauces and spices, along with a bowl of sliced green vegetables, possibly avocado or cucumber. The bottom-left image shows a bowl of salad with diced mango, cucumber, and tomato, garnished with herbs. The bottom-right image displays a pile of white, shredded food, possibly a type of grain or coconut, on a wooden board. A logo for 'dti' is visible in the bottom right corner, suggesting a connection to the Philippine Department of Trade and Industry. The overall composition of the collage suggests a presentation of diverse food products, possibly from the Philippine Pavilion at Gulfood 2025, as mentioned in the caption.
Selections ranging from seafood, fruits, and vegetables to flavorings and grains were among the food offerings at the Philippine Pavilion at Gulfood 2025.
A triptych of three vertical images showing individuals at a brightly colored booth, possibly at a trade show or exhibition. The booth is predominantly green and features various food products. The left image shows a man, who appears to be of African descent based on his features, standing behind a display case filled with packaged food items. He is wearing a dark suit and smiling. The display case contains jars, cans, and bags of snacks. The middle image shows two men, who may be of Middle Eastern or Mediterranean descent based on their features, looking at a package of 'Banana Flour'. One man is holding the package, and the other is observing. A woman is partially visible in the background. The right image shows a man and a woman, who appears to be of Caucasian descent, engaged in a conversation. The man is handing the woman a small object. The booth features various small jars and bottles. The caption mentions 'PIXCEL Transglobal Food, Inc.', 'SL Agritech Corporation', and 'Lionheart Farms (Philippines) Corporation', suggesting that these are the companies represented in the images. The booth also features logos for 'dti' and 'citem', indicating a connection to the Philippine Department of Trade and Industry. The overall setting appears to be a busy and commercial environment, possibly a food-related trade exhibition.
A combination of familiarity, innovation, and strategic marketing and expertise were delivered by top sellers (l-r) PIXCEL Transglobal Food, Inc., SL Agritech Corporation, and Lionheart Farms (Philippines) Corporation.

Housed at the Philippine Pavilion, they were joined by fellow FOODPhilippines exhibitors, namely: BV&R Commodities Corporation; Global Food Solutions, Inc; Golden Saba (SAGREX Foods Inc); Kim’s; Mama Sita’s; Marikina Food Corporation; Market Reach International Resources; Mega Prime Foods Inc.; Miguelitos International Corp.; Pacific Synergy Food and Beverage Corp. Philippines; Philippine Cinmic Industrial Corporation; Philippine Grocers Food Exports, Inc.; Q-Phil International Trading; See’s International Food Mfg. Corp.; The Cabalen Group; and YanYan International Phils. Inc.

Exhibitor efforts were complemented by the international and business networking support provided by the Philippine Consulate in Dubai, the Philippine Trade and Investment Center in Dubai (PTIC-Dubai), and Department of Agriculture.

A triptych of three vertical images showing three men at an indoor event, possibly a trade show or presentation. The men appear to be of East or Southeast Asian descent, based on their features. They are all wearing light-colored, long-sleeved shirts, possibly barongs, which are traditional Filipino formal wear, suggesting a connection to the Philippines. The left image shows two men engaged in conversation. The man on the right is gesturing with his hands as he speaks. The middle image shows a man speaking into a microphone. He is looking to the left of the frame. The right image shows a man speaking into a microphone. He is smiling and gesturing with his hand. A logo for 'dti' is visible in the bottom right corner of the right image, indicating a connection to the Philippine Department of Trade and Industry. The overall setting appears to be a well-lit indoor space, possibly a booth or stage area. The men seem to be participating in a formal or semi-formal event.
Showing support for FOODPhilippines exhibitors were (l-r) PTIC-Dubai Trade Commissioner Vichael Angelo Roaring with Philippine Ambassador to the UAE H.E. Alfonso Ferdinand Ver at the trade event opening day; Consul General to Dubai Marford Angeles and DA Assistant Secretary for Export Development Philip Young during the Appreciation Dinner on February 17, 2025.

Aside from connecting exhibitors and trade buyers and immersing participants in firsthand knowledge and experience at overseas trade fairs, CITEM continues to engage more key industry players to enhance its programs and initiatives for the Philippine food export industry and to elevate Filipino products and talent on the world stage. 

With the upcoming IFEX Philippines 2025 this May 22-24, 2025 at the World Trade Center Metro Manila in Pasay City, CITEM is excited to bring more opportunities for Philippine food manufacturers and distributors to showcase hundreds of their products and services that reflect creativity and innovation using country’s authentic flavors and diverse range to fit global cuisine. Visit ifexconnect.com to join IFEX Philippines or learn more about the country’s food sourcing community, or go to CITEM’s official website at citem.gov.ph for news and updates about export promotion across Philippine industries.

About FOODPhilippines 

FOODPhilippines is the banner program that promotes the country as a source of quality food products and ingredients in physical and/or digital trade shows and business-to-business platforms in priority markets around the world. 

FOODPhilippines positions the country as an exporter of healthy, organic, natural, and specialty food products and services.

About CITEM

The Center for International Trade Expositions and Missions (CITEM) is the export promotion arm of the Philippine Department of Trade and Industry (DTI). CITEM advances the country’s image as a premier sourcing destination for quality export products and services. It remains steadfast in setting the highest standards of creativity, excellence, and innovation to achieve competitiveness in the home, fashion, lifestyle, food, creative, sustainability, electronics, and health information management services sectors. CITEM is committed to developing, nurturing, and promoting micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs), brands, designers, and manufacturers by implementing an integrated approach to export marketing in partnership with other government and private entities. ♦

Date of Release: 03 April 2025

Related posts:

DTI turns over PHP30-M improved farm-to-market road in Lanao Del Norte DTI issues 60-day price freeze in four areas in Palawan under state of calamity PH gov’t empowers businesses with new data protocol, solidifying competitive edge—DTI Chief DTI taps Meta for enhanced e-commerce oversight Philippines introduces GEMS strategy at the NEV Supply Chain Conference in China  DTI, TikTok collab to revolutionize Filipino enterprises with digital boost A group photo shows Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Secretary Cristina A. Roque and several staff members, including DTI Assistant Secretaries Chua and Layug, and DTI-PTIC Tokyo STR Dita Angara-Mathay, posed with Japanese business representatives including Mr. Shinji Fukami, Senior General Manager of International Business Division, Mr. Masao Osumi, General Manager, and Ms. Narumi Saito & Mr. Hidetaka Yamanokuchi from the International Business Division. They stand in a room with a gold folding screen backdrop. In front of them on the table are cups of coffee and refreshments.DTI Chief: Taiheiyo Cement eyes major expansion investments into PH infra A group of Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and Jollibee Foods Corporation representatives are in a conference room, holding Jollibee Funko Pop figures. They are posing for a photo during a partnership event with the Philippine flag and the DTI logo in the background, and Jollibee mascot standing with them.DTI, Jollibee team up to champion sustainable consumer habits