Belgian Fries No.1 worldwide fries exporter is now in the Philippines!

“Hot on the heels of exhibiting in Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, Singapore, and Vietnam, we are pleased to bring Belgian fries to the Philippines this time around, as part of our plan to increase our presence in the Southeast Asian region. There is an existing market in this region for our products, but we see an even bigger opportunity to expand exports and heighten appreciation for our national delicacy. Southeast Asia is one of the largest fastgrowing regions of the world, with a rising middle class, rapid urbanization, and an overall young population. These trends, together with Belgium’s high food standards and innovation, will continue to drive demand in the region and beyond, and our industry is ready to reply to this in an original way since our Belgian fries are truly different from those from other countries. The Philippines is well-known as a food lover's paradise, and Philippine consumers really know and love good food. Belgian fries are still relatively unknown in the Philippines, so we are excited about this opportunity to share one of Belgium’s most beloved national dishes with the Philippines. Golden yellow and crisp on the outside and tender on the inside, Belgian fries, or frites, as we call them, are a true Belgian delicacy that is delicious either as a side served with steak, or as an appetizing snack with a mayonnaise-based sauce!.” ~Mr. Romain Cools from Belgapom

Flanders Agricultural Marketing Board (VLAM) brought together five major Belgian fries exporters exhibited as a group at the recent WOFEX Manila 2018 last August 1 to 4. Their participation in WOFEX Manila is part of a five-nation promotion campaign in Southeast Asia, coordinated by VLAM and Belgapom, the association for the Belgian potato trade and processing industry. The five companies:

• Agristo
• Bart’s Potato Company
• Clarebout Potatoes
• Ecofrost
• Mydibel

They participated at the trade show under the "Belgian Fries” banner to widen their networks, increase their share in the Philippines’ growing market for processed potato products, and heighten awareness of Belgian fries in the Philippines and the region. 

This is the first time that the delicious Belgian fries are being presented in the Philippines at such a scale. Belgium's top exporters brought the original Belgian fries to the Philippines:

• The Belgian fries exporters, which are no. 1 worldwide, seek to increase market share in the Philippines. Their wide range of potato products and specialties are exported to over 100 countries worldwide.
• This 15 part of a three-year promotional campaign to expand the presence of Belgium’s frozen potato products in the South-East Asia region. 

These five companies represent the five biggest family-owned businesses in the industry in Belgium offering a wide range of potato products and specialties that are exported to over 100 countries worldwide. The companies are all halal-certified.

Belgium is the largest exporter of frozen fries in the world, with 90% of its production freighted to the global market. In 2016, Belgian fries exports rose 14.3% to 1.68 million tonnes in 2016 from a year earlier, with an increasing share going to countries outside EU.

Belgian fries have a long history and have become part of the country's heritage, with many shops and stands in Belgium serving this delicious savory snack. in fact, the ubiquitous Belgian fry shops that can be found in every city or village have been recognized as part of the cultural landscape in Belgium, with UNESCO status being sought for the dish since 2014.

For more information, please visit www.originalfries.eu or www.jamesbint.be.

About VLAM 

VLAM (Flanders‘ Agricultural Marketing Board) is a non-profit organization promoting the sale, the added value, the consumption and the image of products and services of the Flemish agriculture, horticulture, fishery and agro-alimentary sector in Belgium and abroad. (www.freshfrombelgium.com) 

About Belgapom 

Belgapom is the recognized association for the Belgian potato trade and processing industry. its task is to defend the interest of the Belgian seed and consumption of potato merchants, the prepackers, the exporters, the potato peeling industry and the potato processing industry. (www.belgapom.be) About Flanders Investment & Trade 

Flanders Investment & Trade (FIT) promotes international enterprise in Flanders in a sustainable way as a key factor in the social and economic development of our region. FIT does so by supporting the international activities of Flemish companies and by attracting foreign investors to Flanders. (www.flandersinvestmentapdtrade.com)