As a mom and now mama Lou, I’ve always been mindful of the food I serve my family. Every trip to the grocery store is a careful balancing act—reading labels, checking ingredients, and making sure that the bread and pastries my children love are made with wholesome and natural ingredients.
It’s a habit my daughter picked up from and has become her habit now that she is a mom as well. But in a market where artificial additives, preservatives, and overly processed ingredients are the norm, it’s becoming harder to trust what’s on the shelves.
Like many parents, I want baked goods that are not only delicious but also safe and nutritious. However, I also understand the challenges businesses face in producing high-quality, clean-label products while keeping them affordable.
This is why Bakery Fair 2025: Where Tradition Meets Innovation is an event that excites me. From March 6 to 8, 2025, at the World Trade Center Manila, the country’s biggest gathering of bakers, food innovators, and industry leaders will explore the future of baking—one that embraces healthier ingredients, innovative techniques, and solutions to keep baked goods accessible to every Filipino household.
The Shift Towards Healthier Baking
The baking industry is undergoing a transformation, with more consumers demanding bread and pastries free from artificial preservatives, refined sugars, and synthetic emulsifiers. This shift has led to the clean label movement, where people prioritize products with recognizable, minimally processed ingredients. Traditional methods of baking, which once relied heavily on artificial stabilizers and bleached flour, are slowly evolving as bakers adapt to new consumer preferences.
For many businesses, this means replacing refined flour with whole grains, switching to natural sweeteners like honey, and adapting new techniques. However, while this movement is widely supported, it presents a major challenge for the industry. Reformulating recipes, sourcing high-quality ingredients, and maintaining affordability are all issues that require creative solutions.
At a recent press conference, Christopher Ah, current president of the Filipino Chinese Bakery Association, Inc. said one of the main concerns for bakery owners has been the rising cost of ingredients. Essential baking staples such as eggs, sugar, and cooking oil have seen significant price increases over the past year. As of February 12, 2025, egg prices in Metro Manila range from ₱7 to ₱9 per piece, up from ₱5.70 to ₱8.50 the previous year. The cost of washed sugar has climbed to ₱75 to ₱90 per kilogram, compared to ₱65 to ₱85 per kilogram in 2024. These price hikes put a strain on bakeries, which must either increase product prices or find ways to cut costs without sacrificing quality.
Adding to these financial pressures is the proposed ₱200 wage hike, which, if implemented, will further impact production expenses.
Chris Ah, who is also a key figure at Liberty Food Mart Inc., formerly known as Liberty Bakery, believes that while wage increases are important, they should be implemented gradually to allow businesses time to adjust. “We are optimistic, we are okay as long as the government supports us and if the whole baking industry helps each other,” Ah said. His perspective reflects the sentiment of many in the industry, who recognize the need for economic sustainability while also ensuring the welfare of workers.
What to Expect at Bakery Fair 2025
With these challenges in mind, Bakery Fair 2025 will bring together the biggest names in the baking industry, ingredient suppliers, and food technology experts to discuss how businesses can move forward. Exhibitors will present cost-effective alternatives, from locally sourced ingredients to new natural preservatives that help extend shelf life. Live baking demonstrations will feature chefs and food scientists showcasing innovative recipes that use fewer artificial additives without compromising taste or texture. The event will also highlight emerging technologies, such as AI-powered baking tools and automated systems, that help reduce ingredient waste and streamline production.
Beyond the exhibits and demonstrations, the fair will also serve as a forum for dialogue and collaboration. Industry leaders, including representatives from FCBAI and Liberty Bakery, will participate in town hall discussions where they will tackle concerns such as rising ingredient costs, the impact of wage adjustments, and the sustainability of clean-label baking. These discussions will be crucial in shaping the future of the Philippine baking industry, ensuring that healthier, high-quality baked goods remain accessible to families across the country.
For families like mine, Bakery Fair 2025 isn’t just about industry advancements—it’s about understanding where our food comes from and how we can make better choices. It’s a chance for parents, home bakers, and food enthusiasts to see firsthand how businesses are adapting to consumer demands and to learn more about the ingredients that go into the bread and pastries we serve our loved ones.
A Must-Attend Event for Bakers and Food Lovers
While Bakery Fair 2025 is primarily an industry event, it offers something for everyone. Whether you’re a professional baker, an entrepreneur looking to start a baking business, or simply a food lover, the fair will provide invaluable insights into the future of baking. Watching master bakers compete in thrilling competitions, discovering new, healthier bread and pastry options, and engaging with experts who are shaping the industry’s direction makes this event an exciting experience for all attendees.
In a time when food choices matter more than ever, Bakery Fair 2025 is a celebration of innovation, quality, and sustainability. It brings together tradition and progress, ensuring that the future of baking remains delicious, responsible, and accessible to all.
📍 Mark your calendars: March 6-8, 2025, at the World Trade Center Manila. Follow the Filipino Chinese Bakery Association, Inc. (FCBAI) for the latest updates. Let’s embrace a new era of baking that is healthier, smarter, and better for our families.
