23 June 2019, Seoul ? In celebration of the 70th anniversary of PH-ROK bilateral relations, the PH Embassy, through the Philippine Agriculture Office in Seoul (PAO), and the Department of Agriculture's Agribusiness and Marketing Assistance Service (AMAS), steered the PH's successful participation in Seoul Food 2019: International Food Industry Exhibition with its biggest delegation yet.

Seoul Food 2019 was formally opened by the President and CEO of the Korea Trade Investment Promotion Agency (KOTRA), Mr. Kwon Pyung-oh, on 21 May 2019. PH Ambassador to South Korea Noe A. Wong also graced the formal opening and led the inauguration of the Philippine pavilion.

This year's Seoul Food saw the participation of 1,532 food and food companies from 40 countries, including 18 exporters from the PH. These Filipino food companies showcased a variety of the country's exportable agri-food commodities to the highly competitive market in Korea. These companies include: 1. Avante Agri-Products Phils., Inc., exporter of fresh banana, pineapple, papaya, mangoes, etc.; 2. Kape Isla Coffee Corporation, exporter of specialty arabica and robusta green coffee beans, etc.; 3. Fisherfarms, Inc., exporter of frozen milkfish, frozen shrimp, etc.; 4. Martsons Food Corporation, exporter of dried mangoes and dried pineapples; 5. Wellnesscare Int'l. Corp., exporter of organic coconut products, coconut oil, and coco sugar; 6. Phil-Union Frozen Food, Inc., exporter of crab meat, tuna, shrimp, squid, and octopus; 7. Eng Seng Food Products, exporter of durian, banana chips, etc.; 8. Mardak Global Export Inc., exporter of fruits preserves, frozen fruits, vegetables, and sauces; 9. C.O.P Pili Sweets and Pastries, exporter of pili nut-filled pastries and Y-nut roasted pil inut; 10. Sunburst Balay Tablea, exporter of tablea and fine chocolates; 11. Leonie Agri Corp., exporter of food supplement, chips, sundried tomatoes, and chili in oil; 12. Prime Fruits International. Inc., exporter of banana chips; 13. Pasciolco Agriventures, exporter of organic coco syrup and coco sugar; 14. The Superfood Grocer, exporter of raw cacao nibs, coco sugar, and non-dairy ice cream; 15. Bahaghari Global Food, Inc., exporter of banana chips, calamansi concentrate, and coco vinegar; 16. B G Fruits and Nuts Mfg. Corp, exporter of banana chips and coconut flour; 17. Amley Food Corporation, exporter of dried mango and mango juice; and 18. Destileria Limtuaco & Co. Inc, exporter pf fruit flavored liquer, wine, whisky, and cocktails. In addition to the above agri-food commodities, the Philippine pavilion also introduced okra to the Korean public.

The Philippines' participation in the Seoul Food Expo was a resounding success as the Philippine agri-products showcased during the event attracted the keen interest of the public and potential buyers. END