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From News Desk

Philippines aims to deliver innovative sourcing solutions to the global food stage. The country is reintroducing itself as a destination for tropical food products.

Through the 19th edition of IFEX Philippines, the country’s premier export-oriented trade show for authentic, innovative and tropical flavors, scheduled for May 21st–23rd, 2026, at the World Trade Center Metro Manila (WTCMM) in Pasay City, the Philippines will highlight its natural resources and rich raw materials to cater to the world’s food requirements.

The food trade event comes at a timely moment, as the world increasingly looks to the Philippines as source of high-value tropical ingredients. “We are not just navigating global challenges; we are defining the flavor profile of the future,” says CITEM Executive Director Leah Pulido Ocampo. “Under the Philippines’ regional leadership as the Chair of ASEAN 2026, IFEX Philippines serves as a definitive platform for the world to discover the vibrant tropics the country is known for, positioning our MSMEs as the gold standard for innovation in the global food value chain.”

This landmark year further solidifies IFEX Philippines as a premier global sourcing hub, welcoming not just local MSMEs but also international exhibitors and buyers with unmatched trade prospects, connections, and a vantage point into the Southeast Asian market.

The 2026 edition is expected to be a more influential B2B platform, following an impressive 2025 performance of CITEM’s collective initiatives, which hit over US$740 million in potential export sales. IFEX Philippines 2025 welcomed over 10,000 buyers and visitors from more than 50 countries, generating US$80M in export sales through the efforts of 580 exhibitors showcasing more than 5,000 brands and products.

Gateway to ASEAN Innovation and Sustainability

The Philippines is strategically positioned as the primary ASEAN gateway to a USD 15 trillion Asian market portfolio. This encompasses both rising consumer demand and crucial investments towards scaling the region’s food industry.

Beyond logistics, the 19th edition focuses on offerings that benefit from the Philippines’ unique environment, such as having a volcanic-rich bounty–from the nutrient-dense soils that produce very sweet mangoes and bananas to premium superfoods; and high-value specialty ingredients, highlighting the country as a vital producer and supplier for global health, beverage and confectionery brands seeking authentic, intense flavor profiles.