Focus on tropical flavors, deals on demand: What to expect at IFEX 2026
MANILA, Philippines — Good news for chefs, restaurateurs, bakers, homemakers, working moms, foodies, and food and beverage professionals who are constantly looking for new food trends, products and ingredients: IFEX Philippines, an annual trade show that serves as a gateway for high-value food products, is back.
The Center for International Trade Expositions and Missions (CITEM) has just announced that the 19th edition of IFEX Philippines is scheduled to take place at the World Trade Center Metro Manila (WTCMM) in Pasay City from May 21 to 23.
The export-oriented trade show is once again delivering innovative sourcing solutions, especially for tropical flavors, to the global food stage. According to CITEM, IFEX Philippines’ staging comes at a most opportune time, considering that the world is increasingly looking at the Philippines as the ultimate source of high-value tropical ingredients.
To stress this point, CITEM executive director Leah Pulido Ocampo said: “We are not just navigating global challenges; we are defining the flavor profile of the future. 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 event will be a landmark year to further solidify IFEX Philippines as a premier global sourcing hub, welcoming not just local MSMEs, but also international exhibitors and buyers with trade prospects, connections, and a vantage point into the Southeast Asian market. It is also expected to present a more influential B2B platform, following an impressive 2025 performance of CITEM’s collective initiatives, hitting over US$740 million in potential export sales.
IFEX Philippines 2025 welcomed over 10,000 buyers and visitors from more than 50 countries and generated US$80M in export sales from the overall efforts of 580 exhibitors who showcased more than 5,000 brands and products.
Gateway to ASEAN innovation, sustainability
With this impressive performance, The Philippines is strategically positioned as the primary ASEAN gateway to a US$15 Trillion Asian market portfolio, said CITEM. This encompasses both rising consumer demand and crucial investments toward scaling the region’s food industry.
Beyond logistics, the 2026 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 the world’s sweetest mangoes and bananas to premium superfoods; and high-value specialty ingredients that highlight the country as a vital producer and supplier for global health, beverage, and confectionery brands seeking authentic, intense flavor profiles.
The 2026 edition also marks a significant progression with two immersive show features that highlight the accessibility scope for these much-coveted commodities:
- IFEX Fiests. This will be an exclusive cocktail dînatoire for VIPs, hosted buyers, and culinary enthusiasts, featuring a curated four-course menu designed to showcase the diverse applications of local ingredients from Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao.
- IFEX Live: Deals on Demand. This premier digital marketplace and live commerce stage transforms product showcasing into a real-time, interactive buying experience.
These additions complement the evolution of IFEX Kitchen. Now a strategic ideation hub within the MarketPlace, this component elevates traditional cooking demonstrations of heritage crops and premium ingredients, transforming their raw viability into the future of high-value food exports.
Greening the way toward a more circular economy is another edition of the Sustainability Solutions Exchange (SSX), the country’s first sourcing platform dedicated to a more resilient food ecosystem, featuring eco-friendly packaging, green technologies, and waste management solutions across sectors, such as agriculture, home and fashion, manufacturing, and technology. SSX will also introduce the Start-up Pitching Competition and Networking, an avenue connecting sustainable innovations from MSMEs and startups to key partners for capital and collaboration.
Immersive show features
Buyers and visitors can expect a high-value sourcing experience during their visit, as IFEX Philippines 2026 also features specialized halls and intentional spaces intended to showcase the best of Philippine and international offerings.
Meanwhile, the Food Philippines Trade Hall serves as the hub for top Philippine brands. It also features a Business Solutions Zone, as well as regional brands showcasing heritage crops and regional specialties through their respective pavilions.
Recognizing the show’s established role in the global scene, it continues to host a number of foreign participants, who shall reflect global flavors and industry trends at the International Hall. This integration with Philippine exhibitors provides a competitive edge for both participating international food buyers and companies, reinforcing a strategic environment for cross-border collaboration and diversified sourcing.
Finally, the Marketplace provides a designated area for direct retail, allowing visitors to purchase in-demand quality products and the latest food finds on the spot.
Global competitiveness
More than presenting quality products that can address the continuous shift toward health- conscious, plant-based, and sustainable options, IFEX Philippines 2026 serves as a smart growth investment because it is the only food trade show in the country that guarantees face-to-face and direct B2B meetings with international buyers, specifically matched to the needs of participating brands.
Local and foreign exhibitors gain direct access to world decision-makers, including qualified importers, retail giants, and HORECA specialized purchasers from the Americas, Europe, Asia, and the Middle East. Through strategic partnerships with trade facilitators like the Philippine International Trading Corporation (PITC), the event ensures that even small-volume players can consolidate to fulfill extensive global orders, making entry into international supply chains seamless and economical.
Through the years, CITEM has been nurturing its relationship with these key buyer authorities. From programs designed for very important buyers (VIB), travel arrangements, and social activities, buyers are able to directly engage with the growing cluster of food MSMEs, such as manufacturers, processors, traders, distributors, consolidators, cooperatives, and institutional suppliers. This happens through facilitation of pre-arranged B2B meetings and business matching with seasoned and reliable food exhibitors whose products fill the various food categories at IFEX Philippines. These include fresh, organic and processed fruits and vegetables, meats, seafood, snacks and ready-to-eat offerings, and fine food specialties.
In addition, the trade event is interspersed with interactive trade show components designed to nurture lasting B2B relationships with the growing cluster of food MSMEs. These include:
- G-Mart (Grocer’s Exchange Mart): A business-matching platform connecting MSMEs with retail giants for private and white labeling, and toll manufacturing services.
- IFEX Talks: A knowledge-sharing platform covering strategies from food certification to international logistics from leading industry authorities.
- Flavor Finds: A collection of emerging or new flavors, products, and trends reflective of authentic food innovated for the global market. This includes the latest winners of the KATHA Award for Food.
- KATHA Award for Food: Recognizing excellence in Philippine food creativity across 10 categories, including functional foods and plant-based alternatives.
- Open House: A showcase of the latest programs from government partners toward the export development of Filipino entrepreneurs.
- IFEXConnect: The 24/7 digital platform for year-round B2B networking, exhibitor and product listings, and sales opportunities beyond the trade event, it enhances the sourcing experience.
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