Universal Robina Corp. (URC) was selected by The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) as the country’s top exporter for the processed food and beverage sector at this year’s National Export Congress held this month.

URC, one of the Philippines’ largest food and beverage manufacturers, was cited based on the value of its export transactions provided by the Philippine Statistical Authority (PSA) for 2019. The company’s export transactions reached approximately 30 million USD that year.

“This recognition for our hard work and dedication to our customers is especially meaningful, given the challenges businesses, and our nation as a whole, are facing because of the Covid-19 pandemic,” Brian Go, URC’s VP for Global Exports and Frontier Markets said.

Go added that exporters “are still bravely marshaling on despite the shackles to trade that the coronavirus has brought on, as nations tighten their borders and businesses are weighed down by lockdowns”.

The Export Development Council said this year’s National Export Congress, the highlight of the National Exporters Week, “looks at how some export companies navigated their way to adapt to the abrupt digital transformation”.

“We looked at those companies who took their chances by embracing the shift of the changing business landscape towards a post COVID-19 world… We wanted to hear their stories – their stories of survival, recovery and resilience and what their plans are as the country now moves towards the resurgence phase,” the council said.

URC, through its Exports Group, brings its products, including its popular brands Jack ‘n Jill snacks, Great Taste instant coffee and C2 ready-to-drink tea, to 38 countries around the world.

Last year, the company formed a Global Exports business unit tasked with the worldwide distribution of both URC Philippines and URC International sourced products.

This integrated URC’s regional sales teams, allowing the consolidation of previously separate export departments into one global export team.

At present, the Global Export business unit serves nations and territories in North America, Europe, the Middle East, Africa and Indian Ocean islands, North Asia, and Oceania and the Pacific Islands. Its Philippine office also distributes its products to affiliate URC companies in Singapore, Hong Kong, and Malaysia.

Brian Go, URC’s VP for Global Exports & Frontier Markets.

URC Global Exports brings Philippine-made products to several countries around the world.