Century Pacific Coconut Business Recognized at the 2024 Asian Export Awards

Century Pacific Agricultural Ventures, Inc. (CPAVI), one of the top integrated coconut manufacturers in the Philippines, was recently honored at the 2024 Asian Export Awards held in Singapore. The company garnered the Philippines Export Service of the Year – Non-Alcoholic Beverages award, in recognition of its outstanding service towards its partner clients.

CPAVI is a subsidiary of Century Pacific Food, Inc. (CNPF), one of the leading food companies in the country. A fully integrated white label manufacturer, the Company produces a wide range of coconut product formats such as coconut water, coconut cream, desiccated coconut, virgin coconut oil, and coconut flour, catering to export markets.

Noel Tempongko, CNPF Vice President and General Manager of the Coconut Exports business, said, “We are deeply grateful to be recognized at the Asian Export Awards. At CPAVI, we constantly strive to deliver high-quality products with consistency. All this can be attributed to the men and women behind CPAVI, who have demonstrated passion for excellence, deep commitment to our customers, and relentless pursuit of contributing to a healthier world with our coconut products.”

He added, “We are thankful to all our partners who have been with us on this journey.” Among the Group’s long-time customers is The Vita Coco Company, Inc., a global leader in the coconut water category. The Company’s partnership with Vita Coco marked the Company’s entry into the coconut category. The initial agreement commenced in 2012, and, since then, the group has produced multiple coconut products for Vita Coco.

Earlier this year, the Group inked a deal with Vita Coco, expanding its contract with additional volume requirements. This entailed new capacity, leading CNPF to invest approximately USD 40 million to acquire and enhance Coco Harvest, Inc., a fully integrated facility in Misamis Occidental, Mindanao, Philippines. This is expected to create at least 1,500 quality manufacturing jobs.

Yen Chin Tho, Managing Director at Vita Coco, shared, “Over the past 11 years, our partnership with CPAVI has been instrumental in driving our business growth and success. Their proactive approach to capacity expansion and unwavering commitment to putting our needs first have consistently exceeded our expectations. The quality and consistency of their products are exemplary, consistently scoring high in rigorous audits. Their willingness to invest in new product and production lines to support our expansion has been pivotal in our significant business growth."

Growing Sustainably for the Future

As the company expands, it continues to prioritize environmentally responsible practices that align with its goal of fostering a more sustainable coconut industry. From sourcing raw materials to the production process, CPAVI ensures that its operations minimize environmental impact and contribute to the well-being of local communities.

“In our pursuit of sustainable growth, we aim to unlock win-win opportunities for the benefit of our stakeholders. Over the years, we have made investments in renewable energy, minimized our waste, and supported the livelihoods of our partner smallholder farmers – the backbone of our industry,” shared Tempongko.

To minimize its environmental impact, the Group built an 8.8mw solar plant, servicing its operations in General Santos. As a result, combined with the hydroelectric power from the grid, over 70% of its power requirements are now sourced from renewable energy. Furthermore, CPAVI invested in biomass capabilities, making use of coconut shells in lieu of coal, significantly reducing its waste and GHG emissions simultaneously.

The Group has also been supporting local smallholder coconut farmers, planting and donating over 1 million coconut seedlings to improve their farm productivity and help boost their income. This helps in replacing aging coconut trees in the country and improving the sustainability of the coconut industry.

“Our commitment to sustainable growth reflects our belief in the Philippines’ potential to produce healthier, high-quality products that benefit both consumers and the planet. By investing in renewable energy, reducing waste, and supporting local farmers, we aim to create shared value and contribute to the continued development of the coconut industry, working together to foster a more sustainable and competitive future for all,” concluded Tempongko.

Century Pacific Food, Inc. (PSE: CNPF) is one of the Philippines' leading branded food and beverage companies. It is primarily engaged in the manufacturing, marketing, and distribution of processed marine, meat, milk, coconut, plant-based, and pet products. With an established track record in brand-building spanning more than 40 years, it holds a roster of household names which include Century Tuna, Argentina, 555, Ligo, and Birch Tree. These brands of the Company hold market leading positions locally and are growing their presence abroad. Further, the Company also operates as one of the Philippines' leading providers of private label tuna and coconut products for export overseas.