26 November 2019 – Mussafi, the largest importer in Israel of dried fruits, nuts and desiccated coconut hosted a meeting and warehouse visit for Philippine Ambassador to Israel Neal Imperial to show the company’s current stock of banana chips, desiccated coconut, and pili nuts imported from the Philippines. According to the company’s co-owner and CEO, Mr. Yossi Mussafi, their company provides the Israeli market with supply of about 80% of banana chips and 90% of desiccated coconut.
Desiccated coconut is the 5th top export of the Philippines to Israel in 2018 valued at US$ 4.67 million from US$ 3.07 million n 2017, or a 52% increase. (Source: DTI-Export Marketing Bureau).
Mr. Mussafi conveyed that their company is interested in expanding their importation from the Philippines to include dried mangoes, papayas, and pineapples. Ambassador Imperial assured that Philippine mangoes and pineapples are the best in the world and should be made available to the discerning Israeli market. According to the Philippine Statistics Office, mango production in the Philippines reached 556.88 metric tons in April to June 2019.
“With the introduction of more and more Philippine products in the mainstream Israeli market, the Embassy foresees excellent prospects for the two-way trade between Philippines and Israel,” Ambassador Imperial said. – END-
Ambassador Neal Imperial (left) with a bag of The Cracking Monkey, sprouted pili nuts in shell, from The Rising Pili Nut Company based in Looc, Romblon Province, Philippines.
El Coco banana chips are one of the best-selling dried fruit products in Israel.