So what’s a Gulfood event without the exotic Philippine mango?
The Philippines, being a top global mango exporter, will bring a variety of mango products, including dried mangoes, purees and juices at the 22 Gulfood Show, happening Feb. 26 to March 2 at Dubai World Trade Center (DWTC).
Taking center stage is the Philippine mango, also known as Carabao mango, which is considered one of the best varieties of mangoes in the world because of its sweet smell, distinct natural sweetness and buttery texture. Over the decades, researchers have developed different varieties of this sweet fruit to continuously improve its export quality.
Joining this year’s edition of Gulfood, the Philippine Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), through its export promotion arm, Center for International Trade Expositions and Missions (CITEM) and branding initiative FoodPhilippines, plans to explore ways to widen its market base through the fast-growing halal food industry.
At the same time, the Philippine contingent, composed of 26 food exporters, including 10 new participants, will further tap into the region’s food retail industry to check what other Philippine food products can be exported to the UAE for its growing Filipino community and non-Filipino customers.
“More supermarkets and grocery store owners are selling Philippine food products due to their recognition of its premium quality and their growing familiarity with the Philippine food culture brought about by our countrymen abroad” said Rosvi Gaetos, CITEM executive director.
Included among the retail outlets selling Philippine food are Al Maya Supermarket, Lulu Supermarket, Carrefour and ZOOM Convenient Stores in Dubai, UAE.
As of 2015, there are over 2.5 million Filipinos living in the Gulf region, based on a data from the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA). During the same year, around US$ 200 million worth of Philippine food products have been exported to the GCC, wherein 50 percent goes to the UAE.
