How a purpose-driven agricultural exporter is transforming lives—powered by digital connectivity from PLDT Enterprise
A harvest rooted in purpose. A local farmer prepares freshly gathered coconuts in one of Agri Exim Global Philippines, Inc.’s sourcing sites in Mindanao. By supporting smallholder farmers and connecting them to global markets, Agri Exim, powered by PLDT Enterprise’s digital solutions, continues to champion sustainable agriculture and community-driven growth across the region.
At the southern tip of the Philippines, a company rooted in coconut trees and sustainability is making waves far beyond Mindanao. From its humble beginnings to its expansion into Davao, Agri Exim Global Philippines, Inc. has grown into a thriving exporter of organic and conventional agricultural products, connecting local farmers to markets around the world.
Driven by a global vision for sustainability, Agri Exim operates with a triple bottom line approach—economic, social, and environmental—across its entire organic value chain. Its mission is to empower smallholder farmers through ethical sourcing, responsible production, and transparent governance. With over 100,000 certified organic farmers across multiple continents and a steadfast commitment to ESG standards, Agri Exim aims to be the most trusted provider of organic and sustainable food ingredients worldwide. In the Philippines alone, Agri Exim works with over 4,500 certified organic farmers cultivating more than 17,500 hectares of land under its organic program.
Founded as a subsidiary of India-based company, Suminter India Organics, Agri Exim has made its mark by sourcing and processing a wide range of high-value goods—including VCO (virgin coconut oil), coconut flour, Coconut water and CWC (Coconut Water Concentrate), Coconut milk and cream, and RBD (Refined, Bleached, & Deodorized) oil. But more than just its product lines, Agri Exim’s success is defined by the deep mission at its core: to support smallholder farmers and champion sustainable agriculture in the Philippines.
“I believe in our vision of helping the entire community. We have generated over a thousand jobs in less than 10 years. I think that’s the top reason why I am proud to be with Agri Exim,” said Kareen Grace Lacorte, Lead Business HR.
Agri Exim’s work extends far beyond Davao. It has built a resilient network of agricultural communities whose efforts feed global demand—and whose growth is central to the company’s long-term goals. At every step, the people behind Agri Exim remain driven by pride in the farmers they support and the impact they create.
Even in the face of adversity such as the pandemic, Agri Exim doubled down on its commitment to employment and the community. “Even during the pandemic, everyone was still intact. We still continued hiring people and proceeded with operations, as opposed to other industries. We even expanded further. That’s how resilient our company is,” shared Gerard John Deriada, Materials Management Department Manager.
This resilience also paved the way for digital transformation—an essential evolution as the company scaled.
“One way that helped us is the implementation of our ERP system, which needs real-time updating of reports, of our systems, and of everything that is going on in the plant,” Deriada added. “PLDT Enterprise helped us expedite that. It was a dream of our investors and the owner before, and we were not able to do it back then because of connectivity challenges. Through the partnership with PLDT Enterprise and its reliable solutions, we streamlined the process, allowing for more real-time feedback to our group, our company, and to our clients internationally.”
Empowering Agriculture Through Technology
As operations scaled and logistics became more complex, PLDT Enterprise became a critical enabler for Agri Exim’s continued success, providing high-speed, reliable broadband to enable field communications and connectivity.
With real-time updates from farmer partners, agricultural mapping, and harvest coordination, Agri Exim is now equipped to respond quickly and make data-informed decisions. The improvements extended to recruitment and HR functions as well.
“When we transferred to our current location, we initially had difficulty connecting with our candidates and new team members. There was an instance where we had to go out onto the highway due to network limitations which made hiring difficult. Especially now, when people are more digital, we have to be able to connect with them directly and seamlessly. PLDT Enterprise helped us resolve this concern. Now, we can even conduct interviews virtually,” added Lacorte.
These innovations are helping Agri Exim build a digitally ready workforce and supply chain—pushing the envelope of what agriculture can look like in the digital age.
A Commitment to Advancing Smart Agriculture in the Regions
“Agri Exim’s story is a powerful example of how digital solutions can transform traditional industries like agriculture. By enabling real-time coordination, faster decision-making, and stronger market access, we’re helping businesses scale sustainably and create real impact in regional communities. PLDT Enterprise is proud to support Agri Exim in their mission to uplift Filipino farmers and bring world-class products from Mindanao to the global stage,” said Jay Lagdameo, Vice President and Head of Enterprise Revenue Group at PLDT Enterprise.
“We continue to uplift the living of our farmers by empowering them and connecting them globally. Our mission is to improve the whole supply chain. We want to help bridge the gap between farmers and our clients globally with the help of PLDT Enterprise,” concluded Deriada.
As Agri Exim continues to grow, its partnership with PLDT Enterprise ensures that its vision for community-based, globally competitive agriculture remains on track and online.
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