Merkado: SOX Food Products – Coconut, Community & Crazy Good Innovation

SOX Food started small in Tupi, South Cotabato, with the help of the Department of Agriculture. Fast forward to today? They’re already exporting their organic coconut sugar and related products to global markets—and doing it as a certified social enterprise. It’s the kind of growth that tells you they’re not just winging it; they’re building something intentional.

One product I didn’t expect to love? Their pickled coconut. Crisp, tangy, and unexpectedly refreshing—it was like a tropical surprise for the palate. Definitely not your usual pasalubong.

But what stuck with me most was their advocacy. SOX isn’t just about making healthier alternatives to sugar—they’re in it for wellness, sustainability, and community. From promoting organic farming to reducing environmental impact, their work is proof that business and social responsibility don’t have to be opposites. Add their support for tri-people communities (Muslim, Christian, Indigenous), and you get a brand that understands the full value chain—from soil to society.

This isn’t just coconut sugar—it’s smart, scalable, and rooted in real purpose.

As a social entrepreneur teacher, what I also found really impressive was how clear their direction is—not just to grow, but to grow with purpose. SOX isn’t just riding the health trend; they’re actively shaping it with every farmer they partner with, every export they fulfill, and every product they perfect. They’re proof that being export-ready doesn’t mean leaving the community behind—it means bringing the whole community with you.