Central Azucarera Don Pedro
| Company type | Subsidiary |
|---|---|
| Industry | Sugar manufacturing |
| Founded | 1927 |
| Defunct | March 29, 2024 |
| Headquarters | Makati , Philippines |
Area served | Philippines |
| Products | Raw and refined sugars, molasses, and related products |
| Parent | Roxas Holdings Inc. |
Central Azucarera Don Pedro Incorporated was a sugar manufacturing enterprise in the Philippines, founded in 1927 and ultimately shutting down operations in March 2024 after nearly 97 years of activity.
History
Originating in the period of American colonial rule, Central Azucarera Don Pedro stood as one of the earliest sugar milling enterprises in the country, with its first facility established in Nasugbu, Batangas. The company was formally incorporated three years later and expanded its capacity by constructing a larger mill in Nasugbu by 1950.
During the 2000s, Roxas Holdings Inc., the parent organization of CADPI, was designated by the Sugar Regulatory Administration to spearhead the modernization efforts for Luzon's sugar industry.
Closure
The company initiated its permanent shutdown process by filing for closure on December 15, 2022. This announcement triggered protests from workers seeking compensation and urging government action to revive the mill instead of depending on imported sugar. On February 28, 2024, citing substantial financial losses linked to national policies on refined sugar imports, CADPI declared it would discontinue operations effective March 29, 2024.
Ownership
CADPI operated as a subsidiary under Roxas Holdings Inc. In 2013, The First Pacific Company Limited, based in Hong Kong and co-founded by Manny Pangilinan and Anthoni Salim, acquired a 34% share in RHI and achieved majority ownership by 2015.
Products and clients
The company specialized in producing raw and refined sugars, molasses, and associated products. Its customer base included Philippine branches of global food and beverage corporations such as Coca-Cola and Nestlé, along with pharmaceutical company Unilab.