Tags: Agribusiness
By Anna Valmero
CANDELARIA, QUEZON - A Filipino company is proving that the humble coconut tree can be the next economic growth driver in the country.
According to Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Secretary Gregory Domingo, the Quezon-based plantation of Peter Paul Philippines Corp., manufacturer of the O.N. E. coconut water drink in the US, is proof that the coconut byproducts will drive growth for the Philippines.
Brazil initially supplied packaged coco water to US but domestic demand made the Brazilian government stop exports of coco water.
“This has proven to be a boon for the Philippines as the new source of coco water for the US market,” said Domingo, who recently visited the manufacturing plant of Peter Paul Philippines Corp.
During President Benigno Aquino’s recent visit to the US, he found out that O.N.E. Coconut Water drink is the “latest craze in the US market” competing against leading sports drinks.
Based on research, coconut water is a natural sports drink with more potassium, electrolytes, and less sugar and can be drank with no preservatives so it is healthier.
Jose Quimson, president of Peter and Paul, said their company is the “single largest integrated coconut products processing factory” in the world.
Peter and Paul was established on June 29, 1946, to manufacture and supply desiccated coconut to its parent company, Peter Paul Inc. in Connecticut. The latter also makes Mound and Almond Joy Chocolate bars.
Later in 1962, majority of the company’s interest was sold to the Filipino group, which included Quimson.
Under the new management, the company established production facilities to manufacture other coconut products such as coconut milk and cream, coconut water, virgin coconut oil, coconut flour or fiber, copra and other residual products. This has led to creation of an integrated coconut processing plant.
Previously, major products of the company included desiccated coconut, commonly used as an ingredient to foodstuffs, paring oil from the coconut’s brown meat called parings, and the coco shells, which are used as fuel for ships. The remaining coconuts are processed into other products such as cooking oil and animal feeds.
The plant processes 600,000 coconuts a day and employs about 2,000 plant workers. Around 1,800 farmers coming from neighboring rural communities get jobs from supplying the coconuts to the plant, Quimson said.
As part of the company’s fair trade policy, they distribute 15,000 seedlings to farmers every year in exchange for planting and harvesting organic coconut fruits.
Using the latest technology in sterilizing and packaging coco water, the one-liter packs of O.N.E. Coconut water in the US market have a shelf life of eight months.
Other coconut byproducts with high demand include coco coir for green building and erosion control, oleochemicals for food processing and coconut husk for biomass energy solution, among others.
Get more information about Peter Paul Philippines Corp
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