ULTRA-PREMIUM rice producer Chen Yi Agventures Inc. (Chen Yi) on Wednesday revealed that it plans to export its product, which has been adjudged the “third-best” rice in the world, to Asia and Middle East this year to capitalize on the growing demand for the high-quality staple abroad.
Less than a year of its presence in domestic market, the Leyte-based rice producer is now eyeing to venture into the world market, which its executive noted is “lucrative” with the correct market, quality and price.
“We are looking at exporting. That’s in the plan, to export. The quality of our rice was named third-best in the world, so why not?” Chen Yi President Rachel Renucci-Tan said in a news briefing on March 4 in Makati City.
Rennuci-Tan’s disclosure came a few months after the firm’s Dalisay rice product was hailed as the third-best rice in the world at the 2019 World Rice Conference that was held for the first time in the Philippines last November.
“This is the first time that the Philippines was recognized as best rice in the world. We should be proud of it,” she said.
French-Italian Patrick François Renucci, Rachel’s husband, pointed out that the growth of their ultra-premium rice product has been “exponential” since going on sale in supermarkets only in September 2019.
To date, Dalisay Rice is being sold in over 150 supermarkets, and this is expected to increase to over 180 this month, across Metro Manila, according to documents provided by the firm.
Furthermore, the Chin Ye group said Dalisay Rice is now also being used in 50 restaurants across Metro Manila, which will expand to over 150 by April, including those based in the City of Dreams, Amanpulo Resort, and Shakey’s, among others.
Patrick noted that high-quality rice, such as Thai rice, abroad—like those sold in Hong Kong, China and Japan—fetches on average $1,200 per metric ton.
Rachel said Dalisay rice products are often sold out in supermarkets in Metro Manila, which she noted is growing fast.
Rachel said they were able to entice consumers to shift to Dalisay rice due to its superior quality and price point, which is cheaper compared to other premium rice sold in the domestic market.
She added that their target market for their ultra-premium rice are those belonging to the Classes A, B and C of the society.
Chen Yi said they supply at least 100 metric tons per month and this could easily rise to 500 metric tons in the coming months due to additional orders from restaurants and supermarkets.
Image credits: Roy Domingo