Unilever to tap halal food market with completion of plant in Cavite

Unilever Philippines is starting to export its halal-certified products following the completion of its R1.7 billion foods factory in Cavite to help the country realize the potential of the global halal market.

Benjie Yap, Unilever Philippines chairman and CEO, revealed this as part of the highlights of the company's celebration for its 90 years of operation in the country

Yap, who was just named Unilever Philippines chairman, is the first homegrown talent to hold the position in over 30 years.

Yap also said they have just gotten its halal certification in March this year enabling them to boost its exports to countries with more Muslim population, especially in southeast Asia and Australia.

At present, Unilever Philippines exports to Malaysia but not halal-certified products.

"This will be our first to export halalcertified products," said Yap, a mechanical engineer who has been working with the local Unilever unit in the past 23 years starting as a technical trainee working in the factory.

According to Yap, the R1.7 billion Cavite Foods Factory adheres to worldclass manufacturing services. It will also serve as Unilever hahal hub for ASEAN and Australia.

The Philippines has yet to realize the potential of the halal market, which can be a driver for sustained economic growth, he said.

Aside from the foods factory, Unilever is also investing in a mega distribution center spanning 13.7 hectares in General Trias Cavite.

This distribution center will facilitate distribution and transport of Unilever products manufactured in its Cavite and Paco, Manila manufacturing sites.

The company, which has been experiencing double-digit growth in sales in the past three years hopes sustained growth this year. In 2016, the local Unilever unit's sales hit R80 billion. It is not allowed to give forward looking statements.

To further serve the Filipino market better, Yap said the company will be investing more in the country.

"We are looking at strategic investments in the Philippines to better serve Filipino families," Yap said.

Part of this strategic investments is its goal to produce more local products by sourcing more in the country.

He said the company is undergoing a review of its products across all categories to see which ones can be produced locally.

He said that 80 percent of products its sold locally are also manufactured locally.

Unilever is engaged in four business segments – food, personal care, home care, and refreshments – where it ranks either number 1 or 2 in terms of market share in any of these categories.