Exhibiting at IFEX Philippines 2025

Rotico Food Products, based in Mangaldan, Pangasinan, Philippines, is a distinguished name in the local food industry, known primarily for its iconic brand—Romana Peanut Brittle. With decades of heritage and culinary craftsmanship behind it, Rotico has grown from a modest family operation into a well-respected producer of traditional Filipino snacks and delicacies. The company continues to serve generations of Filipinos while expanding its footprint in pasalubong (souvenir food) markets across the country.

Core Business

Rotico Food Products is engaged in the manufacturing, packaging, and distribution of traditional Filipino snacks. Its primary offerings include:

• Peanut Brittle (Romana):

  • Original
  • Spanish Style
  • Garlic Flavor
  • Adobo Variant

• Other Traditional Snacks:

  • Roasted Peanuts
  • Peanut Butter
  • Banana Brittle
  • Cornik
  • Ube Jam
  • Puto
  • Bibingka

The company's flagship product, Romana Peanut Brittle, is synonymous with Pangasinan-made pasalubong and is considered one of the most enduring delicacies in the regional food landscape.

Specialization and Unique Selling Proposition

Rotico stands out through its:

• Product Heritage: Romana Peanut Brittle has been a household name in Pangasinan for generations, offering consumers nostalgic flavors and consistent quality.
• Recipe Authenticity: The brand’s peanut brittle recipe remains true to its roots, preserving the original cooking method using copper kettles and natural ingredients.
• Flavor Diversification: Unique local adaptations such as Adobo and Garlic flavors give a Filipino twist to a classic treat.
• Handcrafted Quality: Each brittle sheet is manually spread, cooled, and packaged, ensuring artisanal quality even at scale.

Their focus on traditional methods while adapting to modern consumer preferences has helped Rotico stay relevant in a competitive market.

Financial Overview

As a small to medium-scale enterprise, Rotico Food Products does not release formal financial data. However, performance indicators include:

• Widespread availability of Romana-branded products in pasalubong centers across Luzon
• Bulk order partnerships with institutional buyers and food distributors
• Active participation in national trade exhibitions such as IFEX and local festivals

These activities suggest steady demand and operational capacity with recurring customer bases in both retail and bulk sectors.

Export and Shipment Data

Although primarily focused on the Philippine market, Romana Peanut Brittle has started gaining traction among OFWs and overseas Filipino communities through private orders and consolidators. Export potential lies in:

• Filipino grocery outlets abroad
• Asian food sections in ethnic supermarkets
• Online distributors specializing in Filipino pasalubong

With its long shelf life and durable packaging, the peanut brittle is well-suited for overseas shipment and retail.

Target Market

Rotico Food Products caters to:

• Domestic travelers and tourists seeking authentic pasalubong
• Sari-sari stores and local retailers stocking traditional snacks
• Filipino diaspora longing for nostalgic flavors from home
• Foodservice partners interested in traditional Filipino desserts

The brand also appeals to consumers looking for heritage-rich products made with minimal processing and genuine ingredients.

Capabilities

• Manual and semi-automated production of nut-based confectionery
• Custom flavor development for peanut-based snacks
• Scalable packaging operations for both retail and institutional sizes
• Distribution partnerships across Luzon and potential export nodes

Certifications and Compliance

While detailed food certifications are not publicly listed, Rotico Food Products adheres to local food safety regulations and municipal health standards. Its inclusion in IFEX Philippines exhibitions further indicates its legitimacy and readiness for market validation.

Customer Testimonials

Customer reviews consistently highlight:

• The signature crunch and caramel flavor of Romana’s Original Peanut Brittle
• Appreciation for flavor variety, especially Garlic and Adobo twists
• Packaging that maintains freshness and shelf appeal

Romana has become a generational favorite, often mentioned as a staple gift or pasalubong when returning from Pangasinan.

Major Achievements

• Legacy brand in peanut brittle with strong brand recall across Northern Luzon
• Sustained market presence for over 30 years
• Featured in national food expos like IFEX Philippines 2025
• Developed a multi-variant brittle line, elevating a traditional snack into a premium product range
• Expanded retail footprint from local kiosks to broader provincial and potentially overseas distribution

Rotico Food Products continues to preserve Filipino culinary heritage through Romana Peanut Brittle, proving that tradition, quality, and innovation can go hand in hand in today’s snack food industry.