PHL exporters expand market reach in China with Guangzhou Mission

By Francis Allan L. Angelo

The Department of Trade and Industry’s Export Marketing Bureau (DTI-EMB), along with the Philippine Trade and Investment Center (PTIC)-Guangzhou and the Philippine Exporters Confederation, Inc. (PHILEXPORT), spearheaded the first outbound business mission to Guangzhou, China, from June 19 to 23, 2024.

The mission, which marked the inaugural Guangzhou food mission, saw ten Philippine exporters engaging with nearly 60 buyers, key retail accounts, food chamber members, and officials, aiming to broaden market opportunities for Philippine food exports.

“Congratulations to the exporters in this mission, who I understand generated close to USD 1 million in sales under negotiation,” said Sergio R. Ortiz-Luis Jr., President of PHILEXPORT.

“Their success gives us further confidence that China remains an important market for our agri-based products. We are hopeful that the gains from this initial mission can be sustained, if not expanded to other provinces in China,” he added in a press statement.

The mission featured a business-to-business (B2B) matching event, conducted in collaboration with Food2China (F2C), an online-to-offline service platform affiliated with the Guangdong China Imported Food Association (IFA).

The platform boasts over 400 registered members, including influential importers, distributors, e-commerce platforms, and caterers throughout China.

A networking session also took place with key accounts from the Guangzhou Chain Operations Association (GRCA), which includes some of China’s largest food retailers such as Vanguard and 7-11.

Additionally, market visits to well-known food chains like Hema Fresh, SJ, Sam’s Club, and Vanguard were conducted.

The mission also provided opportunities for collaboration with the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade (CCPIT). CCPIT Vice President Zhang Chaoping highlighted Guangdong’s significant market potential, given its leading share of China’s gross domestic product (GDP) and population size.

The delegation included exporters of processed fruits, coconut products, snacks, and herbal supplements, representing companies such as Profood International Corporation, Tropicana Food Products, Inc., Pasciolco Agri Ventures, Lionheart Farms, Soyuz Foods International Inc., Tropical Palm Herb Manufacturing, MFP Home of Quality Food Corporation, B&C Healthy Snack Foods Inc., Mira’s Turmeric Products, and New Asia Oil, Incorporated.

Philippine Acting Consul General for Guangzhou Aprilfleur S. Galima-Mejia, IFA/F2C President Wolfgang Qi, and PTIC-Guangzhou Commercial Consul Froilan Emil D. Pamintuan attended the event, which has paved the way for Philippine exporters to establish a presence in Guangzhou, China’s rapidly growing southern gateway.