65+ Years of Advancing the Philippine Food Industry

December 27, 2025 • Philippine Chamber of Food Manufacturers, Inc. (PCFMI)

For more than six decades, the Philippine Chamber of Food Manufacturers, Inc. (PCFMI) has helped shape a safer, stronger, and more globally competitive Philippine food manufacturing sector—one that delivers reliable supply, consumer trust, and continuous innovation.

PCFMI was organized on December 5, 1958, and registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) on March 20, 1959. Today, it remains one of the country’s most recognized voices in the food industry, uniting manufacturers across essential food categories while engaging with government, academia, and partners to advance science-based policy and responsible industry practices.

Timeline of Milestones (1958–2025)

1958 — PCFMI (then the Philippine Food Chamber of Manufacturers, Inc.) is organized (Dec 5).

1959 — Duly registered with the SEC (Mar 20).

2013 — The national push for stronger, risk-based food regulation accelerates with the Food Safety Act era (industry engages across implementation dialogues).

2024 — PCFMI marks its 65th anniversary, recognizing decades of partnership for quality, safety, and accessibility of food.

2024–2025 — Deepening public-private collaboration: engagements with government agencies to strengthen the agri-food value chain and competitiveness.

2025 — Digital readiness grows as industry and institutions emphasize traceability, updated standards, and data-enabled compliance; food products remain a key contributor to manufacturing performance indicators in multiple 2025 releases.

What 65+ years of leadership looks like

Across decades of changing technologies, markets, and consumer expectations, PCFMI’s core role has been consistent: protect consumers, empower responsible manufacturers, and strengthen Philippine competitiveness.

• Food safety and quality: supporting risk-based approaches and practical compliance through constructive engagement with regulators and technical partners.
• Nutrition and consumer trust: encouraging responsible product improvement and truthful communication aligned with national nutrition priorities.
• Sustainability and resilience: promoting resource efficiency, food loss and waste reduction, and packaging innovation—while maintaining safety and affordability.
• Trade and supply chain modernization: strengthening systems that keep manufacturing reliable amid volatility, including stable access to key inputs and improved logistics.

Industry signals that matter

Recent public indicators underscore why food manufacturing remains central to the country’s development agenda:

• Manufacturing’s macro role: Manufacturing value added in the Philippines was reported at about 15.7% of GDP in 2024 (World Bank data), a reminder of the opportunity—and urgency—of upgrading industrial competitiveness.
• MSMEs underpin supply chains: PSA’s 2023 List of Establishments (as cited in a Senate brief) recorded 1,246,373 business enterprises, with MSMEs comprising 99.63% and generating 6,351,466 jobs (66.97%).
• Exports and value creation: A DA/DTI release citing PSA noted US$492.6M in agro-based exports in September 2024 (about 8% of total exports), highlighting the potential of higher-value, standards-compliant agri-food exports.
• Food products power manufacturing growth: PSA-reported manufacturing updates in 2025 repeatedly cite food products as a major driver; for example, a May 2025 report attributed acceleration to food products growth and noted a substantial contribution to the uptrend.

Looking ahead: the next chapter

As PCFMI moves beyond 65 years, the challenge is not only to keep pace—but to lead. The next chapter calls for science-based regulation, technology adoption, supply chain modernization, sustainability at scale, and clearer public communication that strengthens trust.

PCFMI’s renewed digital presence supports this direction by making it easier for members and stakeholders to access credible updates, engage on policy priorities, and collaborate on practical solutions that keep food safe, nutritious, affordable, and globally competitive.

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References (selected)

1. PCFMI. “Who We Are / About Us” (organizational history; organized Dec 5, 1958; SEC registration Mar 20, 1959). foodchamber.ph
2. Food and Drug Administration (Philippines). “FDA Joins PCFMI’s 65th Anniversary Celebration” (65th anniversary activity/recognition). fda.gov.ph
3. Senate of the Philippines (Legacy). Senate brief citing PSA 2023 List of Establishments: enterprise counts, MSME share, and jobs. legacy.senate.gov.ph
4. BusinessWorld (Infographic) citing World Bank data: manufacturing value added share of GDP (2024). bworldonline.com
5. Department of Agriculture (Philippines). “DA, DTI forge alliance to boost PH agri exports” (Sept 2024 agro-based exports; citing PSA). da.gov.ph
6. GMA News Online. “PH manufacturing posts faster growth in May 2025” (PSA attribution to food products and contribution to uptrend). gmanetwork.com
7. Department of Agriculture (Philippines). “DA, PCFMI explore potential collab areas…” (PCFMI founding date reiterated; collaboration context). da.gov.ph