Franklin Baker to Develop New Specialty Coco Products

Franklin Baker Company of the Philippines, a pioneer desiccated coconut manufacturer in the country is looking to develop new specialty products from coconuts even as it keeps up with the increasing global demand for coconut water.  Luis M. Rodriguez, Jr., group manager for the company’s nut buying operations, said the company’s third plant, located in Sta. Cruz, Davao del Sur and opened earlier this year, has the capacity for the production of more and diversified coconut products.

“All specialty products may be manufactured  in the new plant,” Mr. Rodriguez said in an interview at the sidelines of the 2nd International Coconut Conference and Trade Expo in Davao City earlier this month.  Franklin Baker has another plant in Sta. Cruz and one in San Pablo, Laguna. While the company’s main product  is desiccated coconut, it has also been producing creamed coconut, coconut chips, coconut concentrate, virgin coconut oil, flour, sugar, and coco water. 

Mr. Rodriguez said coco water has been seeing a surge in demand, particularly in foreign markets, amid growing support for healthy lifestyles. “Coco water is a game changer of the coconut industry as more and  more people are getting conscious about health; it is a better alternative to soda because it is all natural,” he said. “We don’t tap the local market for our coco water, majority goes to US and Europe and we are now looking to expand  probably in the Middle East,” he said, noting that the export operation ships in bulk to companies that take care of the labelling and marketing under their own brands.