Exhibiting at IFEX Philippines 2025

The Northern Mindanao Federation of Dairy Cooperatives (NMFDC), based in El Salvador City, Misamis Oriental, Philippines, is a federation formed in 1987 to unify local dairy cooperatives and promote sustainable dairy development across the Northern Mindanao region. Over the past three decades, NMFDC has emerged as a critical player in the Philippine dairy value chain, particularly through its flagship brand Highland Fresh.

Core Business and Product Portfolio

NMFDC operates as both a coordinating federation for member cooperatives and a processing center for locally sourced dairy products. Its core offerings include:

• Highland Fresh Dairy Products:
  • Fresh Carabao and Cow’s Milk
  • Flavored Milk (Chocolate, Strawberry, Melon)
  • Soft Cheese and Milk Bars
  • Yogurt and Dairy-based Beverages

These products are processed and packaged at the federation’s central facility in El Salvador City and distributed across the provinces of Bukidnon, Misamis Oriental, and Cagayan de Oro.

Unique Selling Proposition

NMFDC’s edge lies in its cooperative-driven model, which empowers smallholder dairy farmers by providing them access to modern milk processing, guaranteed market linkage, and technical support. Through collective production and marketing under the Highland Fresh brand, the federation delivers high-quality, locally sourced dairy products that support rural livelihoods.

The brand promotes health and sustainability, as all products are free from preservatives and are processed under strict hygienic conditions.

Production Capacity and Infrastructure

• Processing Plant: Located at Milk Processing Plant Compound, El Salvador City
• Annual Milk Processing (2023): 1,205,588 liters
• Monthly Milk Processing (March 2023): 839,044 liters
• Facilities: Recently upgraded with a new 3-storey administrative building (PHP 3.6 million project completed in March 2025)

These capacities reflect the federation’s growing ability to meet regional demand while maintaining quality and freshness.

Major Projects and Investments

1. DA-PRDP Dairy Milk Processing Enterprise

   • Budget: PHP 22,138,058.72
   • Launched: March 21, 2023
   • Objective: Upgrade dairy equipment, boost milk production, and improve packaging and distribution

2. New Administrative Headquarters

   • Completed: March 19, 2025
   • Cost: PHP 3.6 million
   • Enhances operations, training, and cooperative coordination efforts

These developments mark NMFDC’s transition from a basic cooperative to a professionalized federation with improved administrative and technical capabilities.

Certifications and Compliance

• FDA Registration: Covers milk and dairy product processing
• Products meet national standards for pasteurization, hygiene, and food safety

Market Reach

• Regional Distribution: Bukidnon, Misamis Oriental, Cagayan de Oro
• Target Customers: Schools (via milk feeding programs), retail outlets, LGUs, hospitals, and community markets

Though international exports are not currently reported, the federation is well-positioned to explore export opportunities as production scales and regulatory frameworks mature.

Social Media and Community Presence

• Facebook Page: facebook.com/nmfdcelsalvador
• Used for cooperative updates, product announcements, and milk advocacy campaigns

NMFDC’s public communications support transparency and foster community engagement, especially among rural stakeholders and cooperative members.

Major Achievements

• Sustained dairy production growth with over 1.2 million liters processed annually
• Strengthened regional milk security through cooperative coordination
• Expanded infrastructure through major government partnerships (DA-PRDP)
• Continuous improvement in milk quality and distribution under the Highland Fresh brand

The Northern Mindanao Federation of Dairy Cooperatives stands as a model of inclusive agribusiness, combining grassroots empowerment with scalable food production. Its integrated approach aligns with national goals for dairy self-sufficiency and rural development in the Philippines.