The Union of Producers and Employers of the Meat Industry (UPEMI) organised a trade mission to Manila, Philippines, from 26 July to 31 July 2026, with a clear goal: to establish new business connections, promote Polish and European beef and pork, and secure a foothold in one of Southeast Asia’s most promising and rapidly growing markets. This initiative was part of the project “Polish Pork and Beef on the Philippine Market.” During the mission, a delegation from the Polish agri-food sector showcased its capabilities, engaged in a series of B2B meetings with Filipino partners, and participated in an international trade fair.

A key highlight of the program was an industry seminar held on 28 July 2026 in Manila. This event brought together representatives from the diplomatic community, government officials, and major industry organisations from both Poland and the Philippines. The seminar commenced with speeches from notable figures, including Katarzyna Wilkowiecka, Chargé d’Affaires a.i. of the Republic of Poland to the Philippines; Stefan Krajewski, Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development; and Wiesław Różański, President of UPEMI.

The seminar’s main discussions revolved around the export potential of the Polish agri-food sector, as well as the various opportunities and challenges associated with entering the Philippine market for Polish meat. Piotr Kolada of KOWR (National Support Centre for Agriculture) presented Poland’s export capabilities, while Jacek Zarzecki (Polish Platform for Sustainable Beef) and Przemysław Gostkiewicz (President of Sokołów SA) outlined the specific hurdles and prospects facing the beef and pork industries.

Following these presentations, an intensive B2B meeting session allowed for direct conversations between Polish producers and Filipino importers and distributors. The event concluded with a culinary demonstration and tasting of European meat specialities, adding an enjoyable touch to the official proceedings.

Participants of the mission also played an active role in the WOFEX trade fair—the largest food trade exhibition in the Philippines, held at the SMX Convention Centre and the World Trade Centre Manila. The mission’s programme also included store checks at key retail chains in Manila (including Marketplace, Landmark BGC, SM at the Mall of Asia). These visits provided participants with an invaluable opportunity to gain firsthand insight into the Philippine retail landscape, consumer behaviour, pricing strategies, and meat product display techniques.

At the mission’s conclusion, the delegation convened an official meeting at the Embassy of the Republic of Poland in Manila on 31 July, with Katarzyna Wilkowiecka, the Head of Mission, and Bartosz Wasiewski, Head of the PAIH Manila Foreign Trade Office. During the meeting, they summarised the trip’s outcomes and discussed further actions to bolster Polish exports to the Philippines. Entrepreneurs also voiced their requests regarding the demand for Filipino workers.

This trade mission marked another intensified effort by UPEMI to strengthen the position of European and Polish meat in Asian markets.

Pork Promotion Fund and Beef Promotion Fund