Plant-based dressings, keto-friendly breads and other innovative food products are taking the spotlight at this year's Negros Oriental Food Expo 2026, as local entrepreneurs showcase how the province's food industry is evolving to meet changing consumer tastes.
Organized by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), the week-long exposition at the Atrium of Robinsons Place Dumaguete features homegrown brands that blend traditional flavors with healthier and value-added products, while creating new business opportunities for micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs).
Healthy Innovations Join Local Favorites
While coffee, virgin coconut oil, chocolate bars, vinegar, chili sauce, tea, organic sugar and traditional tablea remain crowd favorites, this year's expo introduces a fresh lineup of plant-based dressings, dips and sauces, alongside low-carbohydrate and keto breads.
The new offerings reflect how local food producers are adapting to emerging market trends and developing products that appeal to health-conscious consumers without losing their local identity.
Local Food Businesses Expand Their Reach
The exposition brings together 36 exhibitors from across Negros Oriental, including 27 market-ready enterprises and nine emerging food businesses.
DTI-Negros Oriental spokesperson and Consumer Protection Division Officer-in-Charge Krystle Jade Bato said the market-ready exhibitors have secured Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Licenses to Operate, allowing them to access broader domestic and international markets.
Meanwhile, the emerging exhibitors are introducing their products to consumers and testing market demand. Although they have yet to obtain FDA licenses, they already hold Certificates of Product Registration, preparing them for future expansion.
More Than a Food Fair
Beyond showcasing local delicacies, the annual expo highlights Negros Oriental's growing potential as a food and tourism destination.
Bato said DTI has already turned over the management of the event to the Negros Oriental Food Producers Association, which now organizes the exposition independently. The provincial government, through the Provincial Tourism Council, continues to support the initiative as part of efforts to strengthen the local food industry and help homegrown brands reach wider markets.
The Negros Oriental Food Expo runs until July 17.
