Virginia Farms Inc, the oldest and largest integrated farm‑to‑pork business in Central Visayas in the Philippines, has inaugurated its newest breeder farm in June 2026. This marks another milestone in the company’s steady growth.
The facility, designed for 5000 sows, reflects the company’s long‑term vision to strengthen food security, stabilize pork supply, and deliver quality products to consumers nationwide.
For Virginia Farms’ President Rolando Tambago, the inauguration is part of a broader journey.
Rolando Tambago
“We are not just building facilities, but we are building the future of Virginia Farms and we are building the future of the Philippines,” Mr Tambago said.
From small venture to industry leader
Virginia Farms began in 1968 as a small venture raising chickens and hogs to supply food for the owners’ shipping company. Over time, it expanded into a 360‑hectare property in Asturias, Cebu.
The company’s pork products are sold through The Pork Shop, a retail brand that has become familiar to and trusted by consumers across the region. To support its expansion, Virginia Farms has steadily added facilities that improve quality and efficiency. In 2016, it established a modern meat cutting plant in Maguikay, Mandaue City. Three years later, the company established the state-of-the-art Virginia Slaughterhouse and Meat Plant in Asturias.
In 2017, Virginia Farms launched Virginia Farmers Solutions, a program that works with independent growers and breeders. The initiative supports the expansion of The Pork Shop while giving small farmers reliable income and market access, protecting them from market volatility.
Genetics as the foundation
The new breeder farm highlights the company’s long‑standing partnership with PIC, a global leader in swine genetics.
“Our partnership with PIC is built on their world-class genetics. For the new farm, this is critical because it will allow us to achieve our production target of 4200 kg per sow per year. This high level of productivity is the very foundation of our ability to deliver stable and cost-efficient supply,” Mr Tambago explained.
PIC Philippines’ Corporate Accounts Manager, Malou Salazar-Gapuz, stressed the importance of this milestone. With the upcoming imports of new genetics—to arrive in three chartered planeloads beginning July—this target is achievable.
With these additions, she added, Virginia’s production target is expected to be a benchmark that reflects world-class performance and demonstrates the value of continuous genetic improvement.
Confidence in expansion
The company’s decision to invest USD 45.9 million in the new farm reflects its commitment to long-term growth.
“Our confidence comes from three factors,” Mr Tambago said. “Our own track record shows we are already the largest and oldest farm-to-table pork integrator in Central Visayas. While diseases devastated many commercial and backyard farms, we remained unaffected thanks to our strict biosecurity protocols. And the new farm is located in Aloguinsan, an area with low livestock density which is ideal for swine operations.”
Virginia Farms already operates two commercial farms in Cebu with a total of 3000 sows. The new facility will significantly increase production capacity, supporting the company’s growing market nationwide.
Stabilizing supply and price
The Aloguinsan farm is designed to help stabilize pork supply and prices. The new breeders, coming from PIC’s South Dakota facility in the US, will total 2500 sows by November 2026. The farm will reach full capacity within two years.
Technologies such as automated feeding, precision nutrition, and climate‑controlled buildings will ensure consistent production. By reducing reliance on imports, the facility will address supply gaps and help shield consumers from seasonal price fluctuations.
Biosecurity above all
Virginia Farms places biosecurity at the core of its operations.
“Given the threat of African swine fever (ASF) and other emerging diseases, we place biosecurity above all else. The new farm is built with enhanced multi-level biosecurity infrastructure designed to minimize disease risk to the absolute minimum,” Mr Tambago emphasized.
Strict controls on personnel, vehicles, and supplies entering the farm have already proven effective. While many farms were devastated by ASF outbreaks, Virginia Farms remained unaffected, demonstrating the effectiveness of its rigorous protocols.
Supporting small and medium farmers
Beyond genetics and technology, Virginia Farms remains committed to supporting small and medium farmers through its Virginia Farmers Solutions. The program guarantees buy-back prices above market averages, ensuring stable incomes and shielding participants from exploitative middlemen.
At its peak, the program reached at least a thousand partner farmers in Cebu alone. This initiative reflects Virginia Farms’ belief in growing alongside communities rather than displacing them.
Partnerships driving progress
Partnerships have been central to Virginia Farms’ success. Mr Tambago acknowledged the role of financial institutions, along with technology providers and contractors, in enabling rapid progress.
PIC echoed this vision: both organizations remain committed to innovation, efficiency, and building a more competitive swine industry for the future.
Ambitious production targets
Virginia Farms has set ambitious goals: producing at least 39,000 tons of pork each year. Yet the company’s focus extends beyond volume. Sustainability is built into its operations, from waste conversion to construction methods.
By turning farm waste into energy and fertilizer, Virginia Farms reduces its environmental footprint while aligning with global sustainability standards. Its modular building systems also allow facilities to be completed in just 12 to 15 days, cutting costs and saving time without compromising quality.
“Our sustainable future hinges on a synergistic trifecta: pursuing intentional, long-term corporate growth; actively empowering our employees to thrive; and enriching the communities where our facilities operate,” Mr Tambago emphasized.
Shaping tomorrow’s agribusiness
Since it began operations in 1968 until its current position, Virginia Farms has consistently demonstrated resilience and innovation.
Mr Tambago expressed confidence in the company’s future role: Virginia Farms will be part of and will be a leading company in the future of the Philippine swine industry.
With modern facilities, world‑class genetics, and a commitment to partnerships that uplift communities, the company is poised to lead Philippine agribusiness into a sustainable future.
