Farmers' resilience lies at heart of Vietnam's agriculture success: ofi Vietnam

ofi (Olam Food Ingredients), a global leader in food and beverage ingredients, recently had three of its factories in Vietnam recognized among the Top 20 Leading Excellent FDI Enterprises 2025 for operational excellence and sustainable growth, further reinforcing its role as a trusted partner in global food supply chains.

On this occasion, Gaurav Patil, Country Head of ofi Vietnam, shared insights into the company's growth journey, sustainability priorities, and why Vietnam has become his "second home."

Gaurav Patil, Country Head of ofi Vietnam. Photo courtesy of Gaurav

Three factories were recognized among the Top 20 Leading Excellent FDI Enterprises 2025. What does this honor mean for ofi Vietnam?

The recognition of our Dong Nai factory in the Top 10 and our Phu Yen and Gia Lai factories in the Top 20 underscores our strong performance in delivering high-quality, sustainable products to food manufacturers and retailers globally.

Together, these three factories supply over 140 global customers with certified cashew products. In 2024 alone, the Dong Nai facility produced millions of ready-to-eat cashew packs, serving leading retailers across 15 international markets.

This award is a significant recognition of our team's dedication and consistency and reflects how deeply embedded Olam has become in Vietnam's agri-food landscape.

ofi has been in Vietnam for 28 years. How has the company's presence evolved during this time?

ofi began its operations in Vietnam in 1997. Over nearly three decades, we have grown to become one of the country's leading exporters of cashews, pepper, and both green and soluble coffee.

Today, we operate 24 production facilities across central and southern Vietnam, with offices in Ho Chi Minh City, Binh Dinh, Long An, Dong Nai, Phu Yen, Lam Dong, Gia Lai, and Yen Bai.

Our growth has always been rooted in local partnerships, engaging directly with farmers, developing talent, and investing in sustainable production to serve global markets.

What makes Vietnam stand out on the global agriculture stage, and how does ofi contribute to that position?

With nearly 60% of Vietnam's population still residing in rural areas and over 30% of the workforce employed in agriculture, Vietnam holds a natural advantage in global food supply.

At ofi, we've always operated close to the source, right at the farm gates. Our journey began by building trust with farming communities and fostering partnerships that continue to drive our business today.

Our core philosophy is simple: to "do good" while "doing good business." In Vietnam, this translates into developing local talent, strengthening partnerships with farmers, and helping communities thrive alongside our business.

How does ofi maintain competitiveness amid global uncertainty?

Our five business platforms share one common purpose: "Be the change for good food and a healthy future." This is guided by our global sustainability framework, "Choices for Change," to deliver long-term impact across four critical pillars: prosperous farmers, thriving communities, climate action, and regenerating the living world. All aspects are built on the foundation of supply chain excellence.

In Vietnam, we focus heavily on investing in people. With more than 4,500 employees, our priorities are clear: employee engagement, cultivating a diverse and inclusive culture, and developing talent.

We also maintain a broad sourcing network, working with thousands of farmers to bring our sustainability strategy to life through four key pillars—Prosperous Farmers, Thriving Communities, Climate Action, and Regenerating the Living World. These efforts are anchored in our Supply Chain Excellence.

ofi Vietnam organized the Farmer's Day event to provide seedling support for cashew farmers. Photo courtesy of ofi Vietnam

Vietnam has seen major changes in trade and tariff policies. How have these affected your operations?

According to the UNDP, Vietnam has achieved the fastest export growth in Asia since 2000, averaging 15% annually.

Our global footprint helps balance trade flows and reduce dependence on any single market. So far, the impact of these policy changes has been manageable thanks to our diversified operations.

We continue to invest in Vietnam. For example, our new macadamia processing plant in Phu Yen, inaugurated in June 2025, boosts our high-value product capabilities and supports customer demand worldwide.

How can Vietnam's agriculture create more value beyond raw exports?

Vietnam's agricultural export revenue reached $62.5 billion in 2024, supported by the shift from traditional farming to a market-driven agricultural economy. Farmers now understand the need for production to align with market demand.

I share the vision of Le Minh Hoan, Vice Chairman of the National Assembly, who said, "The resilience of farmers is at the heart of our success. Every achievement in agriculture is built on the hard work of millions of farmers and thousands of businesses."

That statement perfectly reflects what we see every day in our operations. The dedication and adaptability of Vietnamese farmers are truly remarkable.

Sustainability is a key part of ofi's identity. How is that applied in practice in Vietnam?

Sustainability is at the core of our long-term success. We collaborate with governments, NGOs, and customers—including many of the world's leading food brands—to achieve shared sustainability goals.

Globally, we have over 130 active sustainability programs. In Vietnam, we focus on empowering smallholder farmers, especially women.

In 2024, we worked with over 8,500 smallholder farmers, including 680 female coffee farmers, 280 female pepper and cassia growers, and 160 female cashew partners to expand sustainable production.

We also run programs like ofi Care, which supports more than 500 female employees in health and work-life balance, and the ofi YES! Scholarship, which assisted over 350 students last year.

These initiatives earned us recognition at the 2024 WEPs Awards for "Gender Equality in Community Engagement and Partnership."

You're part of a younger generation of leaders. What defines your leadership style?

I believe age is just a number. What matters most is the ability to learn, adapt, and stay relevant in a fast-changing world.

The past five years, especially since the pandemic, have reshaped how businesses operate. Remaining grounded and purpose-driven is crucial.

My leadership philosophy is purpose-led and integrated: connecting farmers, partners, customers, and teams around shared goals.

We must also embrace technology such as AI while continuously upskilling ourselves to remain competitive.

Vietnamese talent impresses me deeply—innovative, hard-working, and community-minded. This gives me great confidence in the country's future.

What makes Vietnam feel like home for you?

That's an interesting question. On the surface, it's simple: my Vietnamese wife and my children are my home. Their laughter, our family rituals during Tet, and the daily life we share are my anchor and my greatest joy here.

Gaurav Patil and his family. Photo courtesy of Gaurav

But beyond family, Vietnam has embraced me in many ways. The warmth of its people, the joy found in simple things, and the indomitable spirit here make me feel truly connected.

Raising our children in Vietnam has allowed me to experience the country's culture and values firsthand. It's not just about adapting—it's about belonging.

Professionally, leading teams and managing operations across Vietnam for the past 14 years has been incredibly rewarding. I've witnessed the country's transformation—its energy, ambition, and determination to compete globally.

The resilience and creativity of my Vietnamese colleagues continue to inspire me. Vietnam isn't just where I work; it's where my family is growing, where we've built our lives. And it will always be home.