Pilmico sees minimal impact on food supply

Pilmico Foods Corp., the food unit of conglomerate Aboitiz Equity Ventures Inc., said the coronavirus pandemic would have minimal impact on its operations.

The company reiterated there is sufficient food supply amid uncertainties brought about by the crisis, saying the situation is well within manageable levels.

Pilmico president and chief executive officer Tristan Aboitiz said the firm’s business continuity plans are in place and running, allowing them to operate business as usual to meet the needs of consumers.

“Our supply chain has remained largely intact during the various enhanced community quarantines that have been implemented across the country. This means that our facilities are prepared to continuously cater to the requirements of our customers, which should allow us to deliver our products and meet their needs,” he said.

The Department of Agriculture has maintained that most commodities are expected to end with a surplus by December.

Pilmico has continuously assessed how the pandemic would impact the food industry to make necessary changes with the different aspects of its operations.

Its flour and feed mills in Iligan and Tarlac as well as farms continue to operate, serving the needs of the customers despite challenges in logistics and distribution owing to COVID-19.

The company’s ASEAN facilities are also operating normally. Last year, Pilmico fully acquired Gold Coin, an international food group that operates within Southeast Asia, in a bid to become a major regional player.

“We are focused on ensuring that our current production facilities across the region are optimized and that utilization is maintained at a high level so that we can adequately cater to the needs of our customers,” Pilmico and Gold Coin Food Group president and chief executive officer Hubert de Roquefeuil said.