Shakey’s, KFC, McDonald’s—is Jollibee the next fast food chain to develop a plant-based menu?

Cargill Philippines—the chicken supplier of Jollibee—aims to work on more plant-based initiatives in the Philippines as local producers offer more meat alternatives to the growing health-conscious market. The group is pushing for expansion in the country as it has already taken part in other international plant-based movements.

“We have a participation in plant-based protein somewhere in the world, but not yet in the Philippines. But yes, definitely this is an interesting space… that’s still in the works,” says Cargill Philippines president Sonny Catacutan in an interview with ANC.

As a poultry business, the supplier didn’t have to venture much into digital commerce until the pandemic happened. It even recently launched a biosecurity program that fights African swine fever among hogs.

When restaurants closed down at the beginning of the lockdown, poultry prices plunged due to oversupply and low demand. However, the third quarter of 2020 saw a spike in agribusiness demand. This also helped Cargill’s other ventures such as importing grains and producing copra, feeds, and animal nutrition.