Five Filipino agribusiness startups pitch in Singapore
Five young Filipino agribusiness startups showcased their products and business models at an international agrifood summit in Singapore, seeking investors, industry partners and opportunities to expand into regional markets.
Supported by the Department of Agriculture’s (DA) Young Farmers Challenge (YFC), the enterprises participated in the Asia-Pacific Agrifood Innovation Summit 2026 held from 27 to 29 October at the Suntec Convention Centre.
The Philippine delegation was led by the DA’s Agribusiness and Marketing Assistance Service, in partnership with the Philippine Agriculture Office in Bangkok, Thailand.
Products using locally-sourced agricultural materials
The five startups presented products made from locally sourced agricultural materials and resources.
L’Reinvente converts agricultural by-products into skincare products while creating livelihood opportunities for farmers and marginalized communities. CHER Cacao Products Manufacturing, a youth-led chocolate maker based in Negros Oriental, promotes locally sourced cacao through bean-to-bar production.
Bluecrust Food Manufacturing develops value-added products from crustaceans, while Aelius produces wellness items using different parts of the coconut. Y’Nut Food Products, meanwhile, processes locally grown peanuts into nutritious food products.
Aside from showcasing their brands, the startups met entrepreneurs, industry representatives and potential partners from across the Asia-Pacific region. They also attended sessions covering food systems, biomanufacturing, regenerative agriculture and food traceability.
Modernizing agricultural value chains
Agriculture Secretary Francisco P. Tiu Laurel Jr., a featured speaker at the summit, discussed the Philippines’ efforts to modernize agricultural value chains through resilience, investment, data-driven governance and collaboration between the public and private sectors.
“We also brought young Filipino agripreneurs to the Singapore event to introduce them to a wider market, and expose them to innovations and fresh ideas they can bring home, adapt and develop into viable businesses that create jobs and attract more investment in agriculture,” Tiu Laurel said.
The DA also held the “Innovating Agriculture: Young Farmers Challenge Pitching Showcase,” where the participating enterprises presented their business models and products at the summit’s Innovation Stage.