The Center for International Trade Expositions and Missions (CITEM) yielded $29 million in export sales at the Salon International de l’Alimentation (SIAL) Paris 2024, up by 11.26 percent from $25.79 million in 2022.
The expo held from Oc. 19 to 23 at Parc des Expositions de Villepinte saw a significant rise in trade inquiries and buyer attendance, with a total of 751 inquiries and 768 buyers, more than double the turnout from previous years.
CITEM, in collaboration with the International Trade Center (ITC) and the Export Marketing Bureau (EMB), brought together a delegation of Philippine food and non-food exhibitors under the Philippine Pavilion.
The participation coincided with SIAL Paris’ 60th anniversary, which adopted the theme “Own the Change.”
The five-day event showed strong interest in Philippine natural food products such as banana, calamansi, coconut, mango, and ube.
Despite stiff competition from other countries, Philippine exports were recognized for their superior taste and quality.
Seafood exports contributed nearly $12 million to the total export sales.
In addition to the SIAL event, CITEM continued its efforts to strengthen the Philippines’ presence in the European Union market through an Outbound Business Mission (OBM) in The Hague, Netherlands, and Brussels, Belgium, held on Oct. 24 to 25, 2024.
As part of its broader mission to support the growth of Philippine exports, CITEM also highlighted the Philippines’ involvement in a project with the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO).
CITEM’s ongoing export initiatives aim to strengthen the Philippines’ position in the global supply chain, with a focus on meeting international regulations, consumer preferences, and business demands.
CITEM’s flagship event, IFEX Philippines, will return for its 18th edition on May 22 to 24, 2025, at the World Trade Center Metro Manila as part of these efforts.
The event will continue to serve as a key platform for promoting the country’s food, beverage, and ingredients sectors.
