The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) of the Philippines is seeking to expand the country’s trade footprint in the Middle East by capitalising on $204.01mn worth of untapped export potential for food and personal care products.
In a report shared with Gulf Times, lawyer Maria Katrina D Rivera, assistant director at the DTI’s Export Marketing Bureau (EMB), highlighted that the promising opportunity to expand Philippine exports underscores significant growth prospects for Filipino exporters in the Gulf Co-operation Council (GCC) countries.
The EMB report revealed that the DTI identified $201.31mn worth of unrealised export potential for food products and $2.70mn worth of untapped export potential in personal care products.
Leading the food category are fresh or dried bananas, valued at $44.74mn, followed by coconut oil (excluding crude) at $24.74mn and desiccated coconuts at $24.63mn. Other products, such as prepared or preserved tunas, raw cane sugar, and various pineapple-based goods, also hold substantial potential, the report stated.
On personal care products opportunity, notable items include perfumes and toilet waters, valued at $1.39mn, soap and organic surface-active products for toilet use ($369,000), and eye make-up ($187,000). This segment, the EMB further reported, highlights the growing demand for high-quality beauty and personal care goods in the region.
In 2023, the Philippines exported the following top agri-food products to Qatar worth $30.82mn: fresh or dried bananas, valued at $7.91mn with a 25.6% share; preparations for sauces and mixed condiments ($3.57mn with 11.6% share; bread, pastry, cakes, and biscuits ($3.29mn, 10.7%; uncooked pasta ($2.15mn, 7.0%); sweet biscuits ($1.33mn, 4.3%); soya sauce ($1.19mn, 3.9%); sausages and similar products ($781,000, 2.5%); prepared or preserved sardines ($705,000, 2.3%); prepared or preserved tunas ($633,000, 2.1%); and fresh or dried pineapples ($575,000, 1.9%). The remaining $8.69mn (28.2%) account for other food products exported to Qatar, the EMB reported.
In the same year, the top Philippine personal care exports to Qatar worth $2.06mn comprised the following: soap and organic surface-active products worth $546,000 and 26.5% – the largest share, showcasing the demand for hygiene and skincare essentials; preparations for use on the hair (other) worth $541,000 and a 26.3% share; beauty or make-up preparations, such as skincare and sunscreen ($373,000, 18.1%); perfumes and toilet waters ($270,000, 13.1%; and shampoos ($203,000, 9.9%. The remaining $125,000 (6.1%) consist of other personal care products. This data, the report reflected, underscores the diversity of Philippine offerings and the growing demand for beauty and hygiene products in Qatar.
The report also presented strategic initiatives to capitalise on these opportunities, such as participation in key trade expos like the ‘Gulfood Innovation Awards’ in Dubai, strengthening ties with GCC member states to boost market presence, and promoting the Philippines’ diverse range of tropical and innovative products, including halal-certified and clean beauty offerings.
The Middle East stands as a key destination for Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs), with countries like Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Qatar hosting significant Filipino communities, the report stated, adding that this provides a robust platform for expanding trade and catering to both regional consumers and OFWs.