Global food brands forge solid trade partnerships with PH companies at Japan trade fair

The FOOD Philippines showcase at FOODEX Japan 2025  last  March 11-14  resulted in solid deals with major global market players, and rounded out the first quarter series of overseas trade fairs for food by the Center for International Trade Expositions and Missions (CITEM), the lead promotion arm for the Philippine export industry.

Participating exhibitors were able to secure deals with Costco Japan, PepsiCo, and Walmart, retail and wholesale giants with parent companies in the United States (U.S.), along with popular Asian chains Aeon, Lawson, and Tipco, among others. 

These connections are crucial in strengthening the marketability and viability of more Philippine goods across the globe. 

The 2025 food service market in Japan alone is estimated at US$289.2B, with the global food and beverage market value projected to surpass US$7 trillion this year.

The Philippines is among the 74 countries that sought to capitalize on the expansive trade opportunities in the Japanese market. 

Event venue Tokyo Big Sight in Tokyo, Japan saw more than 72,000 registered visitors flock to the 4-day event to see thousands of food products and services from almost 3,000 exhibitors from across the globe. 

Aiming to establish a better foothold internationally through the lucrative consumer, import, and innovative-driven Japanese market were 15 companies that CITEM organized for the food show. 

These exhibitors under the FOODPhilippines banner program helped bring in at least US$8.5M in total sales. Composed of veteran export players and event first-timers, their offerings centered on bringing authentic, healthy, premium quality food products in flavors adapted to the Japanese and East-Asian market.

Consistent with the countrys top food exports of fruits and nuts to Japan in the past years, coconut products proved most popular for Philippine exhibitors, with Lionheart Farms (Philippines) Corporation leading the pack, followed by banana chips from Prime Fruits International and Sees International Food Mfg. Corp. Healthy grains and snacks, such as noodles from Ngosiok Marketing and sweet baked crisps from Hueza Bakery also made the bestseller list for Philippine export products at the trade event. 

Completing the exhibitor lineup were: Cabadbaran Aquatech Resources; EJ Contreras Food House; IMAI Limited; JBM Food Products; KMK Food Products; Profood International Corporation; Sabroso Chocolate Manufacturing; Sonya Secret Garden. 3 Shers Food Products; and YanYan International Phils. Inc.