Photo: Commercial Attache Eric Elnar
We have observed a trend. Arabs and other nationalities have started to appreciate our snack foods, especially Ding Dong. It’s amazing how much they love Ding Dong!
DUBAI: Don’t look now, but it looks like the humble Pinoy snack, “Ding Dong” managed to upstage all Filipino food items and beverages exhibited during the world’s biggest food trade show, Gulfood 2018.
Commercial Attaché Eric Elnar said the Philippine Pavilion was a grand showcase of Philippine’s best, but curiously, Ding Dong Mixed Nuts got the upper hand and stole the show.
The snack, a medley of green peas, peanuts, corn bits, corn chips and curls, proved to be a big hit among Arabs and other foreign nationalities who visited the Philippine booths during the event, said Elnar.
“We have observed a trend. Arabs and other nationalities have started to appreciate our snack foods, especially Ding Dong. It’s amazing how much they love Ding Dong!” said Elnar.
Aside from Ding Dong, which is available in Sweet & Spicy and Real Garlic variants, other bestsellers were canned seafood products like tuna.
The five-day food and beverage commodity expo drew a total of 23 top exporting Philippine companies as exhibitors. This year’s Philippine slogan was “Fill it with gusto!”
“We are so happy because most of the buyers we invited have very positive feedback about our products,” said Elnar.
Aside from halal food products (halal food industry was officially the main highlight in this year’s Gulfood), the Philippine delegation also gave prominence to coconut-based products and grocery items.
“We have good products, and Gulfood serves as a wonderful platform to give them the global exposure they deserve. Our goal is to introduce our products to more people so they can be enjoyed not only by Filipinos but by those from other countries as well,” Elnar said.
Gulfood 2018, the 23rd edition of the show, ran from Feb. 18 to 22 at the Dubai World Trade Center. The event featured over 5,000 exhibitors from all over the world.
