Pasciolco Agri Ventures is contributing to the sustainable, economic development of the Philippine community of Quezon by exporting its organic coconut products to the European Union.

A business that began 25 years ago with a basic manufacturing facility inside a coconut farm, today exports 50% of its produce to international markets. Along the way, Maureen M. Pasciolco kept building upon her entrepreneurial achievements.

Maureen was born and raised in the Quezon Province of the Philippines. Her chemistry degree had little to do with the business in which she is now involved, but her family gifted her with a pioneering spirit.

After having met her husband while working for a company that exported Nata de Coco (coconut gel) to Japan, they set up the business in 1996, first producing coconut vinegar.  They soon diversified their produce into various coconut-based products, ranging from jam, virgin oil, sugar and syrup, to cater to the local market.

Maureen Pasciolco, 54, owner of Pasciolco-Agri-Ventures, started her business with her husband, Lito Pasciolco, 56, in 1933. Her company maufactures coconut-based products such as coconut jam, coconut vinegar, coconut oil, and many more.

A helping hand to meet the challenges

“Experience is our greatest teacher.”

This is what Maureen says, reminiscing the challenges faced in the company’s export journey. Taking her products to international markets seemed to be an unachievable dream. Meeting the international market requirements, revamping production processes, and obtaining certifications were some of the challenges faced by the company. She immediately realized that without support to comply with these requirements, she would not be able to do business abroad.

“The first question from European buyers pertained to organic certifications. We had none.”

The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) helped Maureen in understanding and fulfilling the requirements for obtaining the needed certifications and revamping production processes. Maureen enrolled in various trainings and seminars, which helped revamp the company’s production practices meeting international requirements. For instance, stainless steel replaced wooden and plastic mixers for safety and quality.

Her secret to making the classic coconut jam is cooking it the old-fashioned way using the traditional stove. Coconut milk and sugar are manually cooked in specific heat and stirred until jam like consistency.

Farming methods have improved as well. Farmers working for Maureen now use organic practices, abandoning pesticides and using salt as fertilizer around the coconut palms, which is inexpensive, environmentally friendly and increases the yield.

“We are grateful to the Department of Trade and Industry, the Philippine Coconut Authority, the Department of Science and Technology and the Department of Agriculture for their support at a time when we were just starting.”

As part of meeting Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) certification requirements, Pasciolco Agri Ventures also renovated its factory to build the required production capacity. What used to be a makeshift facility is now a modern premises that produces value-added coconut products according to best practices.

Today, the company holds organic certifications valid for exporting to the European Union in addition to JAS, USDA, HALAL, Kosher, GMP and HACCP.

Inside the coconut jam factory where coconuts meat and syrup are harvested, Maureen inspects the site and her employees.

Maureen’s participation in various business-to-business (B2B) meetings organized by the DTI-Export Marketing Bureau (EMB) allows her to meet new buyers and learn market  trends and requirements from them, thus providing her with more ideas in creating innovative coconut products.

Setting an example by exporting to the EU

Eighty workers are currently employed by Pasciolco Agri Ventures, with 30 farmers hired on weekly wages to harvest coconuts and coconut sap.

“The EU market provides a sustainable source of income for coconut farmers. It has been instrumental in expanding our business and improving our operational processes.”

As the Philippine economy continues to gain prominence within the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, exporting to the EU has brought visible benefits for exporters from the country through the EU Generalised Scheme of Preferences Plus (GSP+). This trade preference allows thousands of Philippine products to enter the European market duty-free and become available to consumers at a lower price than those from other countries.

“GSP+ is really useful for exporters. Once the business becomes GSP+ compliant, it instantly builds credibility about the standards of your products in international markets.”

Maureen has set an example for aspiring businesses at home and abroad with a 40% increase in her company’s exports, availing of GSP+ and supplying to five clients in Europe.

An open mind: Maureen’s advice

Maureen’s advice for small businesses willing to grow is simple yet effective. “Be open minded and allow to be guided by organizations that can help you grow further.”

Maureen adds that it is crucial for small businesses to gain insights and recommendations from experts in the field to complete the certification process in a timely manner with low costs.

Inside the coconut vinegar factory where the vinegar is kept and fermented.

Quezon’s Best – A brand for better conditions

The growth of Maureen’s business seems unstoppable. She is working to strengthen her brand, Quezon’s Best, turning it into a household name by capturing markets from North Luzon to Mindanao. She is looking forward to developing a product line that would perfectly fit the Philippine household.

She is delighted that the growth in her business has also uplifted the farming community working for her, with their children now focusing on education rather than worrying about meals.

Paolo Maido, 18, watched his family harvest coconut sap at a young age. He is now a skilled and agile worker in the farm, who can swiftly move across the bamboo bridges connecting the coconut trees.  Maureen talks about moving coconut farmers from other provinces who are not making ends meet, and inviting them to work at their farm with their families.  Pasciolco Agri-Ventures has more than 100 farmers.

The future looks promising

Maureen is confident about the company’s future. “We would like to be able to supply to additional markets. It is also our goal to upgrade our certifications to ISO and FSSC.”

Julius and Helbert Malan, brothers working as coconut harvester for Pasciolco Agri-Ventures filters collected sap. Coconut sap is the raw material for many proucts such as coconut oil, coconut sugar and coconut vinegar.

ARISE Plus Philippines

The ARISE Plus Philippines project enables Philippine exporters to take advantage of European Union (EU) market access and the trade privileges granted under the Generalized System of Preference (GSP+). It supports the overall EU-Philippines trade relationship and trade-related policies.

ARISE Plus Philippines is a project of the Government of the Philippines, with the Department of Trade and Industry as lead partner together with the Department of Agriculture, Food and Drug Administration, Bureau of Customs, the Department of Science and Technology, as well as the private sector. It is funded by the EU with the International Trade Centre (ITC) as the technical agency for the project.

Date of Release: 3 March 2022