CNPF beefing up plant-based business

MANILA, Philippines — Century Pacific Food Inc. (CNPF), the Po family’s listed food and beverage company, is looking to further beef up its plant-based business through more innovative offerings and market expansion.

CNPF said that it remains committed to making sustainable and accessible nutrition more widely available to more households with an expanding global presence and a strong focus on innovation.

“Our mission from day one is to be able to help democratize plant-based meat for the world. Accelerating category growth necessitates creativity and an entrepreneurial spirit,” CNPF executive vice president and chief operating officer Greg Banzon said.

“We know it won’t happen overnight. Notwithstanding, we are in this for the long run– committed to further scale our growing unMEAT business sustainably,” he said.

CNPF entered the meat-free market with the launch of alternative meat product, unMEAT, in 2020.

Since its launch, unMEAT has expanded from a domestic offering to a global brand.

CNPF said the brand is currently present in over 13,000 retail points of sale across the United States, Europe, Australia and Asia, with major retailers such as Walmart, Albertsons, Carrefour, Woolworths and Fairprice.

Through unMEAT, CNPF has built a diverse range of plant-based offerings, catering to global consumers.

From burgers and sausages, the portfolio now includes a luncheon meat style range.

The group also developed an Asian line comprised of bao and a variety of dumplings as well as chili with beans, beef strips and chicken patties for export.

In the domestic market, unMEAT includes a breakfast line designed for Filipino consumers.

CNPF said that innovation sits at the center of the company’s strategy in the plant-based category.

“The category varies across markets. Tastes and preferences differ. Some markets have more discerning consumers, while others require more category education. There’s no such thing as one size fits all,” Banzon said.

“Understanding these nuances and creating solutions are critical for a brand to take root and deliver sustainable growth,” he said.

CNPF, one of the country’’s leading branded food and beverage companies, is engaged in the manufacturing, marketing and distribution of processed marine, meat, milk, coconut, plant-based and pet products.

Its brands include Century Tuna, Argentina, 555, Ligo and Birch Tree.