The future is brighter for the country’s egg production industry as publicly listed poultry integrator and animal feed and food manufacturer Vitarich Corporation announced a collaboration with French firm Novogen, a globally recognized leader in layer breeding. The partnership aims to further elevate poultry sector standards in the Philippines.

“Novogen’s expertise is the genetics for layer breeds, which is the poultry that lays table eggs. So, with the synergy of our expertise in animal nutrition and their expertise in genetics, we believe this is the perfect collaboration that we can offer to Filipino farmers,” said Rocco Sarmiento, president and CEO of Vitarich Corporation, in an interview at the sidelines of the company’s 75th-anniversary celebration at the Marriott Hotel Clark in Angeles City, Pampanga, on Monday.

He said the partnership mandates the utilization of Novogen White, the genetics that Vitarich will use to increase egg output, improve feed conversion, and enhance egg durability.

“This means higher production for farmers and more profit for them. That's the essence of the partnership,” he said.

During the announcement of the partnership, Novogen CEO Mickael Le Helloco said his company is looking forward to collaborating with Vitarich and helping them achieve optimal growth in the coming years.

According to Novogen’s website, the Novogen White, a variety of egg-laying chicken, has been selected for its ability to realize its production potential under the most varied conditions.

Furthermore, Novogen White is easy to breed and does not require specific breeding techniques, offering high production potential and excellent internal and external egg quality.

Sarmiento said that increasing egg production in the country would help meet the demand of Filipino consumers. He noted that the average Filipino consumes more than 100 eggs per year, translating to over 12 billion eggs annually.

“Yet many local farmers struggle to cope with the demand. This partnership with Novogen is set to change that, providing high-quality pullets and premium feeds to maximize efficiency, boost profitability, and strengthen the Philippine egg industry,” Sarmiento said.

He added that the partnership with Novogen is expected to be Vitarich’s future cash cow.

2024 Performance

Meanwhile, Sarmiento said 2024 has been the best year for Vitarich, with strong revenue performance.

“We are looking at 2025 being even way better. The first two months are also record-setting. But of course, we are considering the challenges. However, I think we are in a good position to help the growing Filipino population,” he said.

Last year, Vitarich Corporation reported revenues of P9.218 billion, a net income of P259.1 million, and earnings per share of P0.085 for the first nine months of 2024.

However, Sarmiento said that despite the country’s positive economic numbers, the government, companies, and citizens must continue working hard to achieve higher middle-class status.

“We are all waiting, but I think the future is bright and there’s a lot to look forward to,” he said.