Exhibiting at IFEX Philippines 2025

MLC Food Products Manufacturing, located in Dumaguete City, Negros Oriental, Philippines, is a local micro-enterprise engaged in the production of value-added seafood products. With a focused commitment to product innovation, food safety, and community engagement, MLC has positioned itself as an emerging player in the regional seafood processing industry, especially for ready-to-eat Filipino delicacies.

Core Business and Product Portfolio

MLC Food Products Manufacturing specializes in ready-to-consume seafood-based delicacies with an emphasis on traditional Filipino recipes. Their primary offerings include:

• Seafood Snacks:
  • Tuyo Flakes: Flaked dried herring cooked and preserved in oil, often used as a savory condiment for rice or pasta.
  • Adobo Flakes: Seafood variants of the popular Filipino dish adobo, prepared in flakes for convenient consumption.

These products are cooked, preserved, and packaged for long shelf-life, making them ideal for retail sale, pasalubong centers, and exports. Their compact packaging, flavor authenticity, and ready-to-eat format serve the needs of both local consumers and OFW markets abroad.

Unique Selling Proposition (USP)

MLC stands out in the following areas:

• Traditional Flavor Preservation: Products are based on native recipes with no artificial preservatives.
• Convenience and Shelf Stability: Designed for portability and long shelf-life, perfect for busy consumers or export channels.
• Local Sourcing: Ingredients are procured from nearby fish landing sites, supporting sustainable local fisheries and ensuring freshness.

The company’s focus on heritage cooking techniques positions it as both a cultural and culinary advocate for Negros Oriental cuisine.

Financial and Operational Strength

As a small-scale manufacturer, MLC operates with a lean, scalable production line that emphasizes:

• Artisanal batch production, ensuring consistent quality and hands-on control.
• Participation in government-initiated trade fairs such as IFEX Philippines, which has increased its visibility to domestic and international buyers.

While specific financial data is unavailable, MLC benefits from its low overhead costs and strong demand for tuyo-based products among Filipino diaspora communities.

Shipment and Market Reach

MLC Food Products Manufacturing serves a growing customer base through:

• Local Retail Outlets and Sari-Sari Stores: Especially within Dumaguete and surrounding municipalities.
• Pasalubong Shops: Providing vacuum-packed, export-ready goods for tourists and travelers.
• Trade Expositions and Fairs: Including IFEX Philippines and DTI’s local market activations.
• Custom Export Orders: Some demand comes from OFWs in Canada, the Middle East, and the U.S., serviced through informal channels and local distributors.

Efforts are underway to develop logistics partnerships to expand into formal export channels.

Target Market

MLC’s target consumers include:

• Urban and rural Filipino households seeking convenience meals.
• Balikbayans and OFWs looking for traditional food products that travel well.
• Local resellers and pasalubong vendors looking to stock unique and in-demand seafood snacks.

The products are especially popular with health-conscious or time-constrained consumers preferring ready-to-eat native delicacies.

Certifications and Compliance

MLC complies with local food processing regulations and is registered with:

• Department of Trade and Industry (DTI)
• Negros Oriental LGU Health and Business Licensing Divisions

The company is working toward FDA registration and food safety certification (GMP/SSOP) with support from DOST and local DTI offices.

Customer Testimonials

Consumers frequently praise:

• The crispy, flavorful texture of MLC’s tuyo flakes.
• Value-for-money and practical packaging, which suits household and travel use.
• The homemade taste that reflects traditional Filipino cooking.

Repeat orders and word-of-mouth marketing have contributed to growing demand in nearby provinces and among resellers.

Notable Achievements

• Official exhibitor at IFEX Philippines 2024, showcasing value-added seafood products.
• Recognized as a local SME partner by DTI-Negros Oriental for product development initiatives.
• Positive reception at Negosyo Center Trade Events, boosting local presence and wholesale opportunities.
• Featured on local government social media pages promoting MSMEs from Dumaguete.

MLC Food Products Manufacturing exemplifies how grassroots entrepreneurship can transform traditional Filipino flavors into scalable, export-ready products while supporting local fisheries and empowering regional economies.