Soccsksargen’s agri-food products showcase in Agra Middle East 2023

 

The Ambassador of the Republic of the Philippines to the UAE, Alfonso Ferdinand A. Ver (center right), and Consul General, Renato Duenas Jr. (center left), along with the agriculture attaché, Nolet Fulgencio (beside consul general), graced in ribbon cutting ceremony of the Philippine pavilion.

In its ongoing commitment to elevate the global presence of the Philippines' agri-food products, the Department of Agriculture (DA), via the Agribusiness and Marketing Assistance Service (AMAS), took part in Agra Middle East (AgraME) 2023. This event, one of the most significant agricultural trade shows in the Middle East, was held at the World Trade Centre in Dubai, UAE, from October 9 to 10, 2023.

The primary objective of participation in AgraME 2023 is to provide valuable market linkages to DA-assisted young farmers and MSMEs, which can assist in increasing their sales and international market presence.

The DA pavilion displayed various Philippine agri-products, such as fresh fruits, processed foods, and coco coir. The DA also facilitated business-to-business (B2B) meetings, market assessments, and meetings with the Dubai Municipality to inform the exhibitors about the export requirements in the UAE.

The Ambassador of the Republic of the Philippines to the UAE, Alfonso Ferdinand A. Ver, and Consul General, Renato Duenas Jr. also graced in the event.

Team Region 12 posed in the Philippine pavilion. From left to right: Sarangani Vanilla Farmer Melvin Awid (UF Vanilla Farm), DA RFO 12 reps Zaldy Boloron (Regional Technical Director for Operation), Abdulkadil Ango (OIC Chief, Agribusiness and Marketing Assistance Division), and GenSan's Trexie Marie Tan (RT Foods Mfg.).

The Department of Agriculture-Regional Field Office (DA-RFO) 12 was also part of the Philippine delegation and showcased the region’s agricultural products.

“The region’s participation in the Agra Middle East is essential to showcase and promote emerging export potential commodities produced by our young farmers. Recognized as the country's hub for coffee and tuna, our region also boasts a range of other products that are competitive and primed for larger market opportunities,” said OIC Chief for Agribusiness and Marketing Assistance Division Abdulkadil Ango.

According to Ango, the event was bolstered by the technical support of the Agribusiness and Marketing Assistance Service (AMAS) and its regional equivalent, with additional backing from Dubai's agriculture attaché, Nolet Fulgencio. The regional delegations went beyond the conventional exhibits, which typically focus on product display and on-site sales.

They also highlighted the region's rich cultural heritage by donning traditional attire. Through B2B activities, the exhibitors had the opportunity to engage with potential institutional buyers from renowned supermarkets in the Emirates, such as Lulu Hypermarket, Almaya, Choitrams, and WestZone.

They carried with them the products of UF Vanilla Farm/Urban Farms PH, owned by Melvin Awid from Maitum, Sarangani Province, whose value-added vanilla products attracted numerous inquiries. They also showcased RT Foods Mfg., represented by Trexie Marie Tan of General Santos, known for their banana flour and chips. Several buyers and investors showed interest in their products, leading to discussions about potential market collaborations and investment partnerships in the region.

Vanilla, a prominent agricultural product of Region 12, was elegantly displayed at the AGRAMe 2023 Expo in Dubai.

"My participation in AGRAMe in Dubai was not merely a representation of my social enterprise. It was a platform to exhibit the vibrant culture and rich heritage of my region. This opportunity allowed me to spotlight the potential investment prospects in Sarangani and the entirety of Region 12. I extend my heartfelt gratitude to everyone who contributed to making this possible," expressed Awid.

Both Awid and Tan have distinguished themselves as regional winners in the Young Farmers Challenge (YFC) program. They advanced to the YFC Upscale program, where Awid triumphed. He is now set to compete in the national category of the YFC Upscale program.

AgraME is a prominent trade event in the agribusiness sector that takes place in the Middle East. It serves as a meeting point for global innovators, local industry participants, and investors from the Crop Farming, Animal Farming, and Health, Aquaculture, Horticulture, and AgraTech sectors in the Middle East and Africa (MEA) region.

With over 100 exhibitors and more than 5,000 attendees, it offered a platform to explore new products and solutions, interact with exhibitors, participate in conferences and seminars addressing industry challenges, and network with influencers from the MEA region and around the world.

The event emphasized sustainable food production and food security with minimal environmental impact. The upcoming edition of the show is scheduled for October 7-8, 2024.

“We encourage our small and medium-sized entrepreneurs, young farmers, and established agri-food businesses that are prepared for export, capable of meeting the buyer's volume and standards, and are open to expanding their business through investment collaborations, to join us,” Ango said.

“The staff of the Agribusiness and Marketing Assistance Division (AMAD) in the region are readily available to guide and support your business venture by promoting your products in both domestic and international markets. They are just a call or text away.” 

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