US food firm to source coconut, fruit products from PHL

American food distributor has expressed interest in sourcing coconut and fruit products from the Philippines, according to a statement issued by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) on Wednesday.

The Texas-based Sysco Corp., which participated in the International Food Exhibition Philippines earlier this month, wants to import Philippine coconut products, particularly coco water, and fruit juices, the DTI said.

“We have to go back and present what we have seen here to the buyers in the US. If there is interest, we will come back,” said Sysco Senior Director- International John Pollock.

Coco water is gaining popularity in the United States where it is marketed as a health drink. In 2012, Philippine coco water export earnings from the US went up 29 percent to $14.2 million, representing 76.25 percent of total coco water exports. Other markets for coco water include Australia, the Netherlands, Singapore and Brazil.

“We need to figure out where the market is in the United States. We have to talk to our companies in those areas if they can identify the restaurants to sell these products,” Pollock said, referring to Los Angeles, New York and Miami.

“It will be a small volume to start and develop,” he added.

The company — which markets and distributes food products to restaurants, hotels, healthcare and educational facilities — is also interested in importing calamansi juice, Pollock also said.

The company has set up site visits with Philippine firms AgriNurture, Inc. and Atson Coco, Inc.

“Sysco will work closely with us to build the industry. They don’t just want to go and buy, they want to build a sustainable relationship,” said Philippine Trade and Investment Center- Los Angeles Trade Representative Archimedes Gomez in the statement. — KBK, GMA News