CITEM debuts FOODPhilippines at Mega Halal Bangkok 2026

PRESS RELEASE

The Center for International Trade Expositions and Missions (CITEM) continues to step up Philippine food diplomacy and trade initiatives within the global Islamic economy as it brings FOODPhilippines to its first-ever institutional presence at Mega Halal Bangkok 2026 happening from July 15 to 17 at the Queen Sirikit National Convention Center (QSNCC) in Bangkok, Thailand.

As the export promotion arm of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), CITEM’s strategic participation highlights the country's commitment toward strengthening the market presence of local food enterprises, positioning them as reliable sourcing partners of high-value tropical food and ingredients in the rapidly expanding global halal landscape.

The Philippine participation at Mega Halal Bangkok 2026 marks a deliberate pivot to expand the country’s export portfolio into the highly lucrative global halal industry.  As the global halal food and beverage market surges toward an estimated valuation of USD 2.94 trillion in 2026, the Asia-Pacific region continues to solidify its position as the world's largest consumer engine, commanding a 45% share of the global market.

The Philippines holds a distinct comparative advantage in this competitive landscape, leveraging its vast, naturally pesticide-resilient tropical topography to supply premium, clean-label plant-based ingredients and organic coconut products that naturally align with strict halal and wholesomeness (tayyib) standards. 

Thailand has successfully transformed itself into the "Kitchen of the World" due to its immense agricultural output and status as a strategic hub of regional culinary influence. It also boasts one of the most vibrant domestic Muslim populations in Southeast Asia, creating a unique consumer ecosystem.

"Our inaugural presence at Mega Halal Bangkok marks a deliberate, structural pivot for Philippine export promotions," says CITEM Executive Director Leah Pulido Ocampo. "By bringing FOODPhilippines into Thailand's highly advanced distribution network, we are providing our local food innovators with a premium B2B testing ground. This goes beyond immediate export sales; it is about embedding Philippine MSMEs into the high-value supply chains of the global Islamic economy."

Recent years have seen a significant rise in demand for halal-certified products, as global consumers increasingly associate the certification with elevated standards of hygiene, traceability, and food safety. This unique domestic landscape makes Bangkok an ideal B2B testing ground and gateway for Philippine food exporters aiming to master high-standard halal compliance.

The inaugural delegation for this year includes a premier group of enterprises: Artisanal Traders, Inc.; Pasciolco Agri Ventures; See’s International Food Mfg. Inc.; Seven C Food Corp.; and YanYan International Philippines, Inc. These companies are showcasing processed tropical food products and ingredients characterized by in-demand healthy, convenient, and functional profiles.

Through the active support of the Philippine Trade and Investment Center in Bangkok (PTIC-Bangkok), these exhibitors are launching a highly curated showcase of their offerings, optimized to connect with strategic B2B networks, regional buyers, and cross-industry partners aligned with their market-reach potential.

The Asia-Pacific region is home to more than 60% of the global Muslim population, the prime drivers of the halal economy. This demographic is characterized by an expanding, youthful middle class with increasing purchasing power and a strong preference for premium, clean-label, and ethical food options—representing an unprecedented opportunity for Philippine brands to scale globally.

The deep bilateral relationship between the Philippines and Thailand represents one of the most robust economic anchors in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). As founding members of the regional bloc, both nations share a long history of trade cooperation, characterized by dynamic cross-border investments in agriculture and food processing. Both countries are strategically cradled next to the massive halal consumer populations of Indonesia, Malaysia, and Brunei, and benefit from advanced regional frameworks like the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) and ASEAN Trade in Goods Agreement (ATIGA) to facilitate frictionless trade pipelines.

With FOODPhilippines showcasing select, high-value Philippine flavors, functional food ingredients, and clean-label agricultural products at Mega Halal Bangkok 2026, the Philippines is not just targeting immediate export sales; it is actively integrating local MSMEs into the high-value supply chains, including the global Islamic economy.

Trade visitors can expect the best of Philippine tropical flavors–from organic coconut alternatives and premium fruit extracts to innovative, customizable snacks from FOODPhilippines exhibitors at the Philippine Pavilion located at Hall 8, V49- V51 of QSNCC in Bangkok, Thailand. 

Visit ifexconnect.com for more information about the Philippine participation in Mega Halal Bangkok 2026 and other upcoming trade events organized by CITEM. A major milestone in CITEM’s Q3 2026 overseas trade fairs is the upcoming China-ASEAN Expo (CAEXPO), wherein the Philippines, through the PARTNERPhilippines campaign, takes center stage as the Country of Honor with Cebu to showcase as the Province of Charm. CAEXPO is one of the region’s premier platforms for trade, tourism, investment, and economic cooperation between China and ASEAN. It will take place from 17 to 21 September 2026 at the Nanning International Convention & Exhibition Center in Guangxi, China.