26 June 2015 –The Philippine Consulate General, in cooperation with the Philippine Trade and Investment Center, hosted a Briefing on Kosher and Organic Products for potential buyers and distributors at the Philippine Center Boardroom with Philippine Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and Export Marketing Bureau (EMB) officials during the New York leg of their Outbound Business Mission to the U.S. from June 9 to 16.
In his remarks, Philippine Consul to New York General Mario L. De Leon, Jr. welcomed the delegates to the briefing and said that the meeting can provide an opportunity for Philippine food exporters to work closer together with U.S. distributors and retailers in promoting Kosher products from the Philippines. He cited the great market potential in the Eastern Seaboard, where about half of the Jewish people in the U.S. live.
Rabbi Joel Weinberger of Worldwide Star-K Kosher Certification, Inc. gave a presentation describing what the Kosher dietary lifestyle is and how it includes both diet restrictions and a religious life cycle where food plays a huge role. He said Kosher is based on Jewish Law, and this determines what types of food are permitted and how they should be prepared for consumption. He described how certain types of animals, including their meat, organs, eggs and milk, are forbidden for consumption based on the Jewish Torah or Old Testament.
Rabbi Weinberger explained the role of the company Star-K Kosher Certification, based in Baltimore, Maryland, and how it has provided supervision for over fifty years. He also cited how it has grown in strength within the past few years and is currently rated among the top 10 Kosher certifying companies in the world with a strong international presence. He further explained the step-by-step process of the Kosher certification in various markets.
He further stated how Kosher appeals to diverse ethnic groups across the U.S. and around the world, and that nearly 80% of all Kosher products are actually sold outside of the traditional Jewish market, and also caters to the dietary needs of vegetarians. He summarized the value of the Kosher diet for those with specific health concerns, such as lactose, gluten and shellfish intolerance, and possible allergic reactions to certain meat products.
With regard to Philippine food exports, Rabbi Weinberger revealed how the explosive growth in the coconut product market parallels that of the Kosher product market. He listed the coconut derivatives in demand in the Kosher marketplace, namely Coconut Aminos, Coconut Oil, Coconut Sugar, Red Palm Oil, Pure Palm Shortening, Coconut Milk, Coconut Flour and Coconut Flakes.
He discussed Kosher issues in the Philippine coconut industry, citing how Star-K certified Vita Coco products (coconut water mixed with fruit purees). He also stated how Star-K was proud to certify a number of Philippine coconut companies, including the Celebes Coconut Corporation, Filipinas Organic Coconut Products Corp. and the Davao Bay Coconut Oil Mills Inc. There are currently more than 70 Kosher-certified companies in the Philippines involved primarily in coconut and dried fruit products, he added.
The DTI and EMB officials, hosted by newly arrived Commercial Attaché in New York John Paul B. Iñigo, in turn, expressed interest in working with Star-K Kosher Certification in exploring future potential joint trade-related projects promoting Kosher products for mass sale and consumption in the North American market, and enhancing Kosher-producing companies in the Philippines as well.
The Philippine-based food producing companies which the DTI delegates were promoting as part of their Outbound Business Mission to the U.S. include ECHOstore Sustainable Lifestyle, Dealo Koffee Klatch, Jollibee Foods Corporation, Filpinas Organic Coconut Products Corporation, Mardak Global Export Inc., Pasciolco Agri Ventures, Profood International Corporation, La Carlota Food Enterprise, MFP Home of Quality Food Corporation, and Soyuz Foods International, Inc. END
