The government is ramping up its push to bring more Philippine food products to Asian consumers, with the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) rolling out a coordinated export drive in South Korea, Singapore, and Thailand to widen market access and elevate the profile of Filipino food brands abroad.
The multi-country campaign signals a more aggressive effort to capture growing demand for premium and specialty food products across the region, while helping local manufacturers tap new buyers and diversify export markets.
In South Korea, the DTI’s Center for International Trade Expositions and Missions (CITEM) spearheaded the Philippine delegation to Seoul Food & Hotel 2026, one of Asia’s largest food and hospitality trade exhibitions.
The event marked the first joint Food Philippines showcase mounted by the DTI and the Department of Agriculture (DA), highlighting a whole-of-government strategy to strengthen the country’s foothold in the Korean market.
Philippine Ambassador to South Korea Bernadette Therese C. Fernandez noted the rising popularity of ube and other Philippine food products among Korean consumers, reflecting growing opportunities for Filipino exporters in one of Asia’s most dynamic food markets.
Singapore, meanwhile, emerged as another promising gateway. Food importers from the city-state traveled to Manila for IFEX Philippines 2026, where they explored sourcing opportunities through the Grocers’ Exchange Mart and held business-matching activities with local manufacturers.
“Singapore’s food scene has an appetite for bold, distinctive flavours. We see strong market potential for Philippine specialty and gourmet products,” PTIC-Singapore Commercial Counsellor Grepo said.
In Thailand, the DTI and DA focused on helping exporters navigate market-entry challenges while cultivating new business opportunities. During THAIFEX–Anuga Asia 2026, the agencies conducted a Market Access Seminar that provided Philippine exporters with guidance on Thai regulations, compliance requirements, and distribution channels.
The government also staged “Taste of the Philippines,” a gastronomy showcase featuring export-ready Filipino products and dishes aimed at introducing Thai buyers and industry stakeholders to the breadth of Philippine food offerings.
Taken together, the initiatives reflect Manila’s strategy of pairing trade promotion with market intelligence and regulatory support to help Philippine food companies compete more effectively overseas.
As demand for Asian flavors continues to grow, the government is betting that stronger regional engagement can translate into higher-value exports and broader recognition for Filipino food brands across key Asian markets.
