Availability of Filipino products expands to 262 Woolworths stores across Australia

Filipino product offerings in Woolworths expanded to over 200 stores across Australia despite the pandemic. Earlier this year, Australia’s largest supermarket chain introduced the distribution of Pinoy food products to 60 of its outlets to expand its reach to the Filipino-Australian community.

According to Bob Harris, the marketing consultant for DHN Trading, importer of the goods, Filipino food favorites continue to be popular among consumers.

“Some of the stores carry our full range of Filipino products while other stores are just starting with a few bestselling items,” Harris said. 

Popular Filipino food products include mixes and sauces, vinegar, noodles, savory snacks, halo-halo mixed fruits, and canned sardines and tuna.

Government data show that nearly 300,000 Filipinos live in Australia, making them the fifth-largest ethnic community in the country. But beyond this community is the increasing demand from other markets.

DHN Trading reported that the expansion of products in the mainstream supermarkets generated a lot of awareness and increased offtake in Filipino and Asian stores.

“The availability of Filipino products in Woolworths provides consumers with more options, convenience and accessibility. But we are also seeing a multiplier effect on small businesses as they provide niche products (lutong bahay, kakanins) and services (remittances, cargo and shipping services, TFC packages) catering to the community. Overall, the market expands and benefits both consumers and businesses,” Harris added. 

“With Filipino food now more accessible in Australia’s mainstream supermarkets, along with hundreds of Filipino grocery or “sari-sari” stores across the country, we can have a taste of home and share it with our Australian friends too,” Philippine Ambassador to Australia Ma. Hellen B. De La Vega said.

Travel through Food

Australians can get a taste of the Philippines through the food products on offer and be able to cook a savory adobo using the Philippines’ popular vinegar and soy sauce brands. Aussies can also try making the Filipinos’ sweet style spaghetti using a well-known sauce or banana ketchup brand. For dessert, they can whip up halo-halo using ready-to-mix halo-halo tropical fruits. 

Chippy corn snacks, a childhood favorite of Filipinos and ubiquitous in barkada (mate) trips, picnics, and movie marathons on weekends, are also available for Australians to munch on during Netflix moments. 

Aside from traditional Filipino products, Woolworths also carries healthy Philippine products such as organic coconut water, virgin coconut oil, coconut flour, banana chips, canned pineapples and other products.

Sustainability Matters

One area the Philippine Department of Trade and Industry in Sydney is looking at is the possibility of supplying more premium products such as fresh frozen items and plant-based meat products. Another area of interest is sustainable packaging materials derived from abaca, banana and other fibrous plant-based materials. 

“Sustainability matters and we know that this is also aligned with Woolworths’ mission of providing not only the highest quality products but also innovative and sustainable packaging solutions,” Alma Argayoso, the Philippines’ trade representative to Australia said. 

Woolworths supermarkets selling Philippine food products

NEW SOUTH WALES

ACT

VICTORIA

QUEENSLAND

TASMANIA

SOUTH AUSTRALIA

WESTERN AUSTRALIA

NORTHERN TERRITORY