FRUIT EXPO. Participants take part in the 2024 China International Fruit Expo (CIFE) held in Shanghai, China from Aug. 28 to 30, 2024. Glenn G. Peñaranda, Commercial Counsellor of the Philippine Embassy in China, said the CIFE is an important occasion to promote fruit trade between the Philippines and China. (Courtesy of CMG-FS)
SHANGHAI – The 2024 China International Fruit Expo (CIFE) was held from Aug. 28 to 30, 2024, in the city of Shanghai, located in eastern China, under the theme "World Fruit·China Market."
More than 260 fruit companies from 30 countries and regions, including the Philippines and China, participated in the expo.
In an exclusive interview with the China Media Group – Filipino Service (CMG-FS), Glenn G. Peñaranda, Commercial Counsellor of the Philippine Embassy in China, stated that the CIFE is an important occasion to promote fruit trade between the Philippines and China.
He said that China is one of the largest markets for Philippine fruits, as it has a large population, and Chinese consumers enjoy fresh tropical fruits, which are part of their healthy lifestyle.
Due to their excellent quality, tropical fruits from the Philippines have taken center stage at the expo.
Peñaranda is grateful for the strong interest of China in Philippine fruits. According to him, most of the fruits exported by the Philippines to China are bananas, pineapples, mangoes, and avocados.
He said that the fresh durians from the Philippines, which have entered China since last year, continue to make their way into the Chinese market. Furthermore, due to the expected abundant harvest this year, the export of durians to China is expected to increase, he added.
According to Peñaranda, cooperation in fruit trade is essential for the future of the bilateral relationship between the Philippines and China, not only in the importation of fruits but also in collaborating to increase production and develop the food value chain in the Philippines.
He said that the entire process of the industrial chain of fruits in the Philippines, from planting to processing and marketing, is open to all interested parties. He invited his Chinese friends to collaborate in this industry in the Philippines to further enhance the fruit trade between the two countries.
Peñaranda also called on all Filipinos and friends to continue supporting Philippine fruits. (CMG-FS)
