Rebisco sees higher revenues from international business

MANILA, Philippines — Snack food maker Republic Biscuit Corp. (Rebisco) expects revenues from its international business to rise by more than 20 percent this year and next year due to demand for its products, both from overseas Filipinos and foreign consumers, as it eyes new markets for exports. 

“We are expecting to grow revenues by more than 20 percent year-on-year from 2017 and 2018,” Jonnel Mangubat, head for international business at Rebisco, said when asked for an outlook on the international business this year and next year. 

He declined to give the absolute figures for revenues for the international business last year, but said it reached five percent of domestic sales. 

This year and next year’s revenue growth would be driven by demand for Rebisco’s products overseas. 

Rebisco has been exporting products since early 2000. 

Among the markets where the company ships and sells its products are China, United Arab Emirates (UAE), Saudi Arabia, Hong Kong, Taiwan, South Korea, Myanmar, Singapore, Canada and the US. 

The company’s main customers in markets such as the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Canada and Taiwan are overseas Filipinos. 

As for markets like China, Hong Kong, South Korea and Myanmar, Rebisco caters primarily to local consumers. 

Rebisco’s top export brands include Ding Dong, Hansel, Fudgee Barr, Rebisco Sandwich, Doowee Donut, Cupp Keyk and Choco Mucho.

To achieve revenue growth in the international business, Rebisco plans to expand its presence overseas by exporting to new markets. 

“We are eyeing to penetrate and be sustainable in emerging regions such as South Asia, Sub-Saharan Africa, and Latin America,” Mangubat said. 

Rebisco, which started as England Biscuit Factory in 1963, currently carries a variety of snack food such as nuts and seeds, cakes, wafers, breads, chip and curls, candies and gum, and chocolates.