MANILA, Philippines - Food company Nutri-Asia Inc. (NAI), one of the first local companies to go global, expects to double its exports in the next five years and maintain its position as one of the leading condiments exporters in the country.
The growth in exports will come from the Middle East and North America, which both host large numbers of Filipinos. In 2013, NAI exports rose by 20 percent over 2012 levels. “We are well on track against our targets to double the business,†said Richard Rebollido, the company’s international business manager.
Nutri-Asia produces the popular brands Datu Puti, UFC, Mang Tomas, Jufran and Papa, Golden Fiesta and Hapi Fiesta for products like vinegar, soy sauce, spaghetti and lechon sauces, cooking oil, banana catsup, among others.
Most of these products comprise the core of its export business, but the company’s lineup now also includes sweet preserves and Asian noodles.
The company’s exports have grown steadily since its first shipment in 1991. But in the past four years, sales became more brisk as mainstream stores in the United States, Canada and in the Middle East started to carry its products, Rebollido added.
Nutri-Asia products can now be found on the shelves of Safeway, Wal-Mart and Albertsons in the US; and Sobey’s and Loblaws in Canada; Tesco in the U.K; and Carrefour and Hyper Panda and Lulu’s in the Middle East.
Its other export markets include Asia-Pacific countries with a big overseas Filipino population such as Taiwan, Japan, Malaysia, Singapore and Brunei, Australia, New Zealand and Micronesia. In Europe, it exports to Austria, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Norway, Spain and Sweden, among others.
The Middle East, which hosts about 2.4 million Filipino OFWs, has shown strong numbers with export values up by 40 percent in 2013 compared to the year-ago level.
Nutri-Asia is also boosting its presence in the US where it recently re-launched certain product lines such as sauces in promotional events like adobo festivals and sampling activities.
In the Philippines, the company has carved a niche in the condiments and sauces market. It is the first and only branded local condiments company that is certified by global institutions for its compliance with systems and best practices that make sure its products are safe and clean.