At the recent World Food Expo (WOFEX) Manila 2026, I expected to see new products, better packaging, and the latest kitchen technology. True to form, those were all present at the event’s two venues in Pasay City: the World Trade Center Metro Manila and the SMX Convention Center at the Mall of Asia Complex.

What I didn’t expect was how frequently conversations turned to food security. Moving from one pavilion to another, it became clear that keeping food on the table has become a pressing concern shared by consumers, businesses, and governments alike.

There was a time when food security in most of Asia simply meant producing enough rice to feed a burgeoning population—but that definition no longer tells the whole story. Today, weather patterns shift without warning, and global supply chains are easily thrown into disarray by events happening far beyond national borders.

The United Nations’ Food and Agriculture Organization defines food security as “a condition in which all people, at all times, have physical, social, and economic access to sufficient, safe, and nutritious food that meets their dietary needs and food preferences for an active and healthy life.”

For the Philippines, strengthening food security means making agriculture more productive, improving logistics, reducing waste, and equipping farmers to cope with a changing climate. These are critical investments whose true value becomes most obvious when the next geopolitical disruption strikes.

With more than 20 countries represented, WOFEX Manila 2026 underscored the Philippines’ growing importance as a regional hub for the food and beverage sector. Among the international highlights was the India Pavilion, organized by the Federation of Indian Export Organisations with support from the Embassy of India. It showcased a wide array of agricultural and processed food products while promoting deeper cooperation in food security between Filipino enterprises and Indian firms.

When India overtook China as the world’s most populous nation in 2023, the milestone was viewed largely through a demographic lens rather than its implications for food security. Yet feeding more than 1.4 billion people every day is a monumental undertaking—one that continuously tests supply chain efficiency and the foresight of public policy.

India’s experience shows that food security is built patiently over decades, not harvested in a single season. The country is embracing innovation across the agricultural value chain, enabling farmers to access real-time market data and crop advisories through digital platforms. Concurrently, investments in agricultural research, micro-irrigation, natural farming, post-harvest infrastructure, and logistics are reducing waste while boosting farm incomes.

On the local front, Cebu-based Global Pacific Distribution Network Corp. stood out at WOFEX 2026 by actively engaging with customers, holding live chef demonstrations, and strengthening ties with food service operators. Having participated in WOFEX since 2010, the firm remains one of the expo’s longest-standing partners.

Led by President and CEO Peter Limquiaco, Global Pacific imports and distributes a broad portfolio of globally recognized brands tailored to the needs of bakeries, hotels, commercial kitchens, restaurants, and cafés.

Amid rising operational costs and foreign exchange volatility triggered by ongoing global conflicts, running a food business has grown increasingly challenging. Imported ingredients remain costly for bakery and restaurant operators, even as consumers tighten their spending.

Through a centralized ordering system and a nationwide distribution network, Global Pacific offers operators a streamlined way to supply branches across the country. The core message it delivered at WOFEX 2026 was clear: in today’s market, resilience is not about cutting corners—it is about making smarter choices.