Profood International Corp. in Mandaue processes mangoes and other fruits for export. (profoodcorp.com)
PROCESSED fruit producer and exporter Profood International Corp. has signed agreements for the purchase of coconuts from farmers in Camotes Islands.
Mayor Erwin Yu of Tudela town said 13 farmers from Barangays Calmante, General and Villahermosa have also committed to supply Profood.
In a statement prepared by the Capitol public affairs office, Mayor Yu said Profood targets to buy 269,400 coconuts at P8.50 per piece from more than 32 hectares of coconut farms in Tudela.
“The farmers were very happy since their task is only to maintain the farm and its quality. The harvest is done by Profood,” the mayor stated.
Profood has also signed a purchase agreement with a farmer’s association in Barangay Alta Vista, Poro town.
Based on its website, the company operates four dried fruit processing plants as well as a canned juice plant, aseptic fruit puree plant, a canned and bottled preserves line, a frozen fruit line, and a stand-up-pouch line for purees, juices, sauces and preserves in Mandaue City.
Profood also has production facilities in Bulacan, Iloilo and Davao. Aside from selling to the domestic market, Profood exports the Philippine brand of dried fruit and juices.
Meanwhile, Provincial Agriculturist Roldan Saragena said organic products are gaining popularity as consumers become more health-conscious.
The Provincial Board has recently passed an ordinance promoting organic farming.
The ordinance ensures organic farmers will regularly get assistance from the province.
Even before the province enacted the ordinance, Saragena said his office has already been conducting trainings like the making of organic fertilizers.