The Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) welcomed Ajinomoto Philippines Corp. (APC), a subsidiary of Japan’s leading food manufacturer and the heritage brand behind Aji-no-moto, as one of its newest and most significant investors.
“PEZA embraces the Ajinomoto umami seasoning and food culture as we move forward together in this partnership of ecozoning the Philippines towards an inclusive and sustainable economy,” the agency said in a statement.
Ajinomoto, widely recognized as Japan’s No. 1 food company and a global pioneer in seasoning and flavor enhancement, is set to build a P9.1-billion manufacturing facility within the TARI Estate in Luisita, Tarlac City.
The TARI Estate is a mixed-use industrial hub developed by Aboitiz InfraCapital under the supervision of PEZA.
Construction of the state-of-the-art factory is scheduled to begin in May 2026, with full operations expected by April 2028.
The major investment marks a strategic expansion for Ajinomoto, which has been serving the Filipino market for 67 years since it began operations in 1958.
The new facility, in addition to those in Cebu and Bulacan, will support APC’s continued business growth and new ventures in the country.
Ajinomoto Philippines manufactures its two top-selling products – the iconic Aji-no-moto umami seasoning and the Aji-Ginisa flavor seasoning mix.
With the Philippines’ strong domestic market and ongoing transition to an upper-middle-income economy, APC is optimistic about its growth trajectory in the country.
The company plans to introduce a wider range of food products, which are already enjoying strong popularity in other markets like Thailand, where Ajinomoto’s top five sellers include RosDee seasoning, Yum-Yum instant noodles, Birdy coffee and frozen food items such as karaage and gyoza.
