RFM, other food producers eye $12-B Arab food market

Concepcion-led RFM Corp. together with other local food producers is set to tap the $12-billion Arab food market as they participate in the Middle East International Food Exhibition (IFEX) next month.

The Philippine delegation which is made up of six manufacturers and exporters will sell halal-certified products in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC-7) member countries namely Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates and Yemen. 

The global halal food market is expected to reach $500 billion by 2010.

RFM Corp. will be selling rice-based mixes, hotcake mixes, pancit noodles, flavored drinks, ice cream and processed meat.

KSK Food Products, the manufacturer of the famous Boy Bawang cornick (fried corn bits), will likewise participate in the IFEX Roadshow and Mission to the Middle East on Nov. 5-18.

“We’re already exporting our Boy Bawang to Middle East since 2004 but participating in this government-organized trade mission will definitely help us expand our presence in the market by meeting new and existing buyers,” Millet Celones, export manager of KSK said.

Fisher farms will also join the Center for International Trade Expositions and Missions (CITEM) organized event. Fisher farms will sell processed milkfish.

Other companies are Florence Foods Corp., sellers of bottled preserves, processed marine products, noodles, frozen fruits and vegetables, coconut products; Fortress Food Manufacturing Corp., sellers of canned goat meat products; canned vegetable products and Q-Phil Products International which will sell noodles and bottled sweet preserves.

Food is one of the biggest industries in the Philippines and is considered an important sector of the country’s economy. 

It is composed of 2,962 food and beverage establishments, employing about 188,000 direct and indirect workers. 

The Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP), Kosher and Halal certifications, and the Hazard Critical Control Points (HACCP) accreditation that these food companies have earned guarantee that their products meet the strict global food safety standards.