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Manila Bulletin devider Business devider The Stock Market devider Metro Pacific corners coco export market after buying Franklin Baker

Metro Pacific corners coco export market after buying Franklin Baker

Published Dec 3, 2025 12:00 pm
Metro Pacific Coconut Holdings Corporation Closes Franklin Baker Acquisition. From left to right: Ferdinand M. Dela Cruz – President, CEO, and CSO of Franklin Baker Company of the Philippines; Jerome O. Lorenzo – President of Andorro Investments Corporation; Manuel V. Pangilinan – Chairman, President, and CEO of MPIC; Jovy I. Hernandez – President and CEO of MPAV
Metro Pacific Coconut Holdings Corporation Closes Franklin Baker Acquisition. From left to right: Ferdinand M. Dela Cruz – President, CEO, and CSO of Franklin Baker Company of the Philippines; Jerome O. Lorenzo – President of Andorro Investments Corporation; Manuel V. Pangilinan – Chairman, President, and CEO of MPIC; Jovy I. Hernandez – President and CEO of MPAV
Metro Pacific Coconut Holdings Corporation Closes Franklin Baker Acquisition. (L-R) Jerome O. Lorenzo – President of Andorro Investments Corporation and Manuel V. Pangilinan – Chairman, President, and CEO of MPIC.
Metro Pacific Coconut Holdings Corporation Closes Franklin Baker Acquisition. (L-R) Jerome O. Lorenzo – President of Andorro Investments Corporation and Manuel V. Pangilinan – Chairman, President, and CEO of MPIC.
Metro Pacific Coconut Holdings Corp. (MPCH), a subsidiary of Metro Pacific Investments Corp. (MPIC), has increased its market share to nearly 70 percent of the country’s food-grade coconut exports after completing the acquisition of Franklin Baker Co. of the Philippines.
MPIC said in a statement that the transaction provides immediate capital and strategic support to clear pending export backlogs and stabilize the operations of one of the country’s most established coconut processors.
This positions Franklin Baker for renewed operational stability and sets the foundation for sustained long-term growth.
“In our drive to build a stronger agricultural sector, this acquisition supports key industries such as coconut processing,” said MPIC Chairman and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Manuel V. Pangilinan.
He added that, “By bringing Franklin Baker into our portfolio, we are strengthening an important segment of the supply chain and helping ensure that thousands of Filipino farmers and communities benefit from a more efficient and stable industry.”
MPCH seeks to unlock long-term value across the agricultural supply chain through investments that integrate infrastructure, capital, technology, and market access. This aims to improve farmer livelihoods, promote sustainable agricultural practices, and contribute to the country’s food security.
The successful completion of the deal provides Franklin Baker with the resources to re-establish standard production performance, streamline operations, and transition confidently toward a clear growth trajectory.
“Integrating Franklin Baker into the Metro Pacific Agro Ventures (MPAV) group allows us to accelerate our goal of creating a truly globally competitive Philippine coconut sector,” said Jovy Hernandez, President and CEO of MPAV, MPIC’s agribusiness arm.
He noted that, “With renewed capital and operational support, we will focus on enhancing efficiencies, reinforcing sustainability initiatives, and leveraging our combined scale to support local coconut farmers.”
With Franklin Baker and its earlier acquisition of Axelum, the combined operations now form the backbone of MPIC’s coconut platform.
With a capacity to process more than two million coconuts daily, these entities collectively represent nearly 70 percent of the country’s food-grade coconut exports, significantly enhancing the Philippines’ position in the global market through scale, reach, and supply chain resilience.
“Andorra Investments Corp. is delighted to welcome MPCH as the new investor in Franklin Baker, a move we believe will significantly enhance the future of Franklin Baker and the Philippine coconut industry,” said Jerry Lorenzo, president and CEO of Andorra, Franklin Baker’s outgoing investor.
MPIC said that under MPCH’s stewardship, Franklin Baker is poised to reinforce its market leadership and sustainability focus, supported by renewed capital and innovation for the sustained growth of the Philippine coconut sector.

Related Tags

Metro Pacific Investments Corporation Manuel V. Pangilinan Metro Pacific Agro Ventures Franklin Baker Group of the Philippines Juan Victor Hernandez Jr. Jovy Hernandez Andorra Investments Corporation Jerry Lorenzo
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