26 Philippine exporters joining business mission to the Middle East 

At least 26 Philippine exporters are set to participate in the joint business mission of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and Department of Agriculture’s (DA) to the Middle East in February, which aims to expand market access of Philippine agricultural and fisheries exports.

The DTI said in a statement on Tuesday it will lead a business mission to the Middle East with the Agriculture department from February 7 to 21.

“The mission aims to expand market access and promote Philippine agricultural and fisheries exports and non-food products, while strengthening trade partnerships with Qatar, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates,” DTI said.

The confirmed 26 Philippine exporters are joining this Outbound Business Matching Mission.

DTI said these Philippine exporters are expected to gain direct access to buyers, distributors, and industry leaders in the region.

“The delegation will present sourcing opportunities through store visits, supplier meetings, and business matching activities in Doha, Amman, Riyadh, and Dubai,” said DTI.

Market entry, compliance issues

Per the DTI, Philippine exporters will meet with key regulatory bodies, such as the Qatar Ministry of Public Health and the Saudi Food and Drug Authority, to address market entry requirements and compliance issues.

DTI’s Export Marketing Bureau (DTI-EMB) Director Bianca Pearl R. Sykimte told the BusinessMirror in late January 2025 that Philippine exporters of processed food products are facing issues in the Middle East.

For instance, Sykimte said “For Saudi Arabia there are certain processed food products that we cannot export yet because there are no accredited exporters from Philippines.”

The official of DTI’s export marketing arm also noted that they are asking the Saudi FDA to fast-track accreditation of Philippine exporters.

In Qatar, Sykimte said there are additional certifications being required from Philippine exporters that are not being requested from other countries. These requirements, the Philippine Trade official said, “are costly for Philippine exporters to comply with.”

The mission will culminate in Gulfood 2025, one of the world’s largest food and beverage sourcing event, showcasing the quality, sustainability, and competitiveness of Philippine exports.

 The Philippine delegation is inviting buyers, distributors, and industry stakeholders to join the business matching sessions and connect with Philippine exporters of high-quality frozen and fresh produce, processed food, and personal care products.

 According to DTI, business-to-business activities are scheduled in Doha on February 9, Amman on February 11, Riyadh on February 12 and Dubai on February 14.

Formalized during the 2024 National Export Congress, the DTI-DA partnership seeks to enhance the global competitiveness of Philippine agribusiness, the DTI noted.

“This will be achieved by streamlining value chains, promoting value-added processing, and ensuring compliance with international standards,” DTI said.