Source: Business World
Sagrex Foods, Inc., maker of microwavable banana and turon for export, has ventured into direct selling of its new line, tuna-with-banana, to help Davao farmers augment their income.
Among the products under the tuna-with-banana line are “bola-bola,†sausage, “chorizo,†ham, patties, hotdog, “longganisa,†and “embutido.â€
The company has tied up with Healthyfood Options Marketing Enterprise, Inc., which will serve as marketing arm, in the venture that seeks to employ banana growers and their families as “home business partners.â€
Richard C. Torres, chief operating officer of Healthyfood, said tuna-with-banana stocks will be carried in strategic locations by Stocking Home Business Partners, which will buy from the company at 30% less than the regular selling price.
The home business partners, meanwhile, can sell the products at P5.00-P10.00 markup per unit, “assuring them of P500 to P1,000 a day income.†The project aims at expanding the market of tuna fishermen and Cavendish banana farmers while helping small sari-sari stores boost their monthly income by selling nutritious and affordable products, he said.
“Tuna with banana is the healthy and affordable alternative to the more expensive meat products that are commonly found in the market today,†he said.
Sagrex Foods is already producing and distributing 15,000 packs per week of this product with 15 distributors.
Henry Cueno, a representative of Sagrex Foods subsidiary Fermon Corp., said the company supplies raw materials for the tuna and banana processors. These will eventually be processed into various products.
He said the project will benefit members, who are fisherfolk and farmers, and their families as their wives and children can help raise more money for their households.
Sagrex started its operations as Southern Agro Export Corp., trading and exporting staple crops and cattle feed in Davao City in January 1980. Ferdinand Y. Marañon is president of Sagrex Foods.