Philippine Flavors Expand Market Reach at Hong Kong Food Expo Pro 2024
Consul General Germinia V. Aguilar-Usudan confers with some of the Filipino exhibitors under the Philippine Pavilion. (Hong Kong PCG photos)
HONG KONG 21 August 2024 — A total of 23 Filipino Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) led by the Philippine Consulate General in Hong Kong, Philippine Trade Investment Center in Hong Kong (PTIC-HK), Center for International Trade Expositions and Missions (CITEM), and Philexport Southern Tagalog Region IV Association, Inc. (PHILSTAR) showcased a diverse array of halal, healthy food options and export quality products at the Philippine Pavilion in the recently concluded Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) Food Expo PRO 2024 which ran from 15 to 17 August 2024 at Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre (HKCEC).
In recognition of the Halal Industry’s promising landscape for growth and opportunities, the Consulate’s booth, in cooperation with the Philippine Office of the Department of Agriculture in Beijing and the Halal International Chamber of Commerce and Industries of the Philippines, Inc. (HICCIP), presented halal food products, which included “Carica Herbal Health Products” herbal teas; “Century Pacific Agricultural Ventures, Inc.” Aqua Coco (coconut water) and coconut products; “Dole” canned pineapple products; “T.P. Food Processing” Cocoa Monster’s chocolate mangoes and premium tablea; and “Tropicana Food Products” Coconut King’s organically produced coconut products (such as virgin coconut oil). The Consulate’s booth also showcased Blomstre, a Hong Kong based fragrance company, particularly their Filipino food-infused reed diffusers, namely: “Ube Macapuno,” “Leche Flan,” and “Pandan”, which complemented the Filipino flavors at the Philippine Pavilion.
Meanwhile, PTIC and CITEM’s booth housed a variety of fresh, healthy and delicious fruits, seafoods and snacks brought by “Eng Seng Food Products” for dried banana and durian chips, “Hueza Bakery” for delectable baked goods, “Kangkong King” for crispy water spinach chips, “La Carlota Food Enterprise” for native pork rind cracklings and fish crackers, the “Local Government Unit of Buguey, Cagayan” for fresh mangrove crabs, rabbit fish and seaweeds, “Raspina Tropical Fruits Incorporated” for fresh durian, cavendish banana and sweet pineapple, and “Siargao’s Bounty Seafoods Corp.” for fresh frozen seafoods, such as octopus, giant squid, abalone meat, among others.
Moreover, PHILSTAR joined the Philippine pavilion by bringing in MSMEs mostly from Laguna and nearby Quezon Province which offered a myriad of Philippine food products ranging from confectionery and baked products by “Chocovron Global Corporation”; decadent chocolate treats by “Kakaw Galyon Artisanal Chocolate Processing”; plant-based cracklings and alternative delightful snack options by Vegetari Vegetarian Products, A&Z Food Products, and Brics Ventures; fruit liqueurs by Sol’s Italian Food; various organic coconut products by Amazing Food Corporation to healthy and organic herbal supplements by Lime Tree Farm Solutions, Mt. Holistico Herbal Company, and Pasciolco Agri-Ventures.
The Expo introduced a dedicated Halal food and beverage label featuring over 100 exhibitors who showcase Halal food and beverage products from both Food Expo PRO and Food Expo. A distinct Halal food showcase area was also set up to help facilitate easy sourcing for buyers and promote the development of the halal food and beverage sector in the region. Philippines’ halal favorites, such as Coconut King, Chocovron and Kangkong King, among others, were some of the Philippine halal products featured in the Halal showcase area.
The Philippine Pavilion at the Expo was truly a gastronomic feast which drew a large crowd of both Filipinos and Hong Kong locals alike. A number of Filipino traders invited by HKTDC as well as Filipino, local and foreign exhibitors were able to taste the excellence of sourcing and networking opportunities during the Expo.
Consul General Germinia V. Aguilar-Usudan visited the Philippine Pavilion and congratulated the Filipino exhibitors for their participation in the Expo. The Guests of Honor during the opening ceremony were Hong Kong Secretary of Commerce and Economic Development Mr. Algernon Yau and HKTDC Chairman Dr. Peter K N Lam. They were assisted HKTDC Executive Director Ms. Margaret Fong.
The HKTDC Food Expo PRO, which was recognized as Asia’s key trade event for food and beverages (F&B), provided a platform for business and commercial industries alike to source and explore an extensive range of finest culinary delights and services while they build new connections and elevate their expertise in the F&B industry.
Hong Kong locals, Mainland Chinese and foreign visitors flocked into the HKCEC as the Expo was simultaneously held with HKTDC’s Beauty & Wellness Expo, Food Expo, Home Delights Expo, Hong Kong International Tea Fair and International Conference of the Modernization of Chinese Medicine & Health Products. The HKTDC’s series of Expos attracted over 1,860 exhibitors from 30 countries and regions all over the world. END
Consul General Germinia V. Aguilar-Usudan (4th from right, front) during the ribbon-cutting ceremony at the opening of HKTDC’s series of expos, such as Food Expo, Beauty & Wellness Expo, Home Delights Expo, Food Expo PRO, and Hong Kong International Tea Fair. (Hong Kong PCG photo)
From left to right: Consul Sheila Monedero-Arnesto, Consul General Germinia V. Aguilar-Usudan, HKTDC Manila Consultant Ms. Maribeth Barros, and Vice Consul Allan Revote during the Opening Ceremony of HKTDC’s series of Expos on 15 August 2024 at Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre (HKCEC). (Hong Kong PCG photo)
Consul General Germinia V. Aguilar-Usudan (5th from left), Consul Sheila Monedero-Arnesto(2nd from left), and Vice Consul Allan Revote (leftmost) pose with Hong Kong Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development Mr. Algernon Yau (6th from left), HKTDC Chairman Dr. Peter K N Lam (5th from right), HKTDC Executive Director Ms. Margaret Fong (4th from right), HKTDC Deputy Executive Director Sophia Chong (3rd from left), HKTDC Manila Consultant Ms Maribeth Barros (rightmost) and Philippine exhibitors under the Philexport Southern Tagalog Region IV Association, Inc. (PHILSTAR). (Hong Kong PCG photo)
For more information, visit https://www.hongkongpcg.dfa.gov.ph, or https://www.facebook.com/PHLinHK/.