Filipino food entrepreneurs emphasize national and global distribution at this year’s fair.
The Megatrade Halls at SM Megamall will be filled with regional delicacies this week as the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) opens the 2026 DTI Bagong Pilipinas National Food Fair (NFF).
From April 8 to 12, more than 320 micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) from across the country will gather under one roof, each bringing a product shaped by local ingredients, small-scale production, and an eagerness to grow.
READ ALSO: How A Country’s Myths And Folklore Bring Its Culture To The Global Spotlight
A National Stage For Scaling Up
The fair has long functioned as a national stage for Filipino food businesses, as enterprises from Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao are positioning themselves for wider distribution, export, and long-term market access.
Some of the most closely watched vendors are businesses built by former overseas Filipino workers. Their products sit alongside more established regional brands, but their trajectory underscores the fair’s intention of promoting livelihood sustainability.
Industry Focus And Emerging Markets
The coconut industry takes a central role this year, reflecting its designation as a priority sector. Exhibitors will present products that move beyond raw commodity forms to emphasize processing, diversification, and export readiness.
Elsewhere on the floor, a dedicated Halal segment signals another strategic direction. Certified and Halal-ready products are grouped to highlight compliance with international standards and to position Filipino producers within the global Halal market.
From Exposure To Enterprise
Behind the displays and sampling booths, the DTI Business Connect Lounge operates as a quieter but more consequential space. Here, MSMEs meet with institutional distributors, retailers, and potential partners in sessions designed to move conversations toward supply agreements.
The event remains open to the public, with free admission, live demonstrations, and product tastings drawing in casual visitors. But its underlying function is more targeted. Buyers can encounter a curated group of market-ready enterprises, while exhibitors test their capacity to scale.
Photos courtesy of Visions & Expressions
Frequently Asked Questions
The 2026 National Food Fair is a flagship event organized by the Department of Trade and Industry that showcases Filipino food products from micro, small, and medium enterprises across the country, serving as a platform for market exposure and business development.
The event runs from April 8 to 12 at the Megatrade Halls of SM Megamall and is open to the public with free admission.
More than 320 MSMEs from Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao are participating, including food manufacturers, processors, and entrepreneurs such as former overseas Filipino workers who have transitioned into business
The 2026 edition highlights the coconut industry under the Coconut Farmers and Industry Development Plan, features a dedicated Halal segment for certified and Halal-ready products, and includes the DTI Business Connect Lounge for business matching with institutional buyers.
The fair helps MSMEs expand market access by connecting them with buyers, promoting their products to a wider audience, and facilitating opportunities for supply agreements and long-term business partnerships.
