Olam Food Ingredients Vietnam: A sustainable growth journey and global positioning

Farmer's Day by ofi Vietnam.

Could you introduce ofi Vietnam and its development in the market?

ofi Vietnam, a subsidiary of global food ingredients leader ofi, is a trusted partner that can offer customers sustainable, natural, value-added food products and ingredients so that consumers can enjoy the healthy and indulgent products they love. ofi started operations in Vietnam in 1997 and has since expanded to multiple locations, including our head office in Ho Chi Minh City and regional offices in Binh Dinh, Long An, Dong Nai, Phu Yen, Lam Dong, Gia Lai and Yen Bai.

Today, we are amongst Vietnam’s leading exporters of cashews, pepper, and both green coffee and soluble coffee, operating more than 24 production facilities across Central and Southern Vietnam.

Mr. Gaurav Patil, Country Head of ofi's operations in Vietnam.

What sets Vietnam apart on the global stage, and how does ofi Vietnam contribute to enhancing this position?

Currently, nearly 60% of Vietnam’s population lives in rural areas, and over 30% of the workforce is employed in agriculture. Agriculture remains a key sector and an area of comparative advantage in Vietnam.

As an organization, Olam and ofi have grown by being close to where the action is. Our sourcing journey started with working at the farm gates and engaging with farming communities who gave us the ‘license to operate’ locally in our origins. And this way of working, to ‘do good’ and ‘do good business’ while being close to the action, is something that I personally feel drive us here in Vietnam, growing talent, deepening partnerships with our farmers and communities.

How is ofi Vietnam responding to global uncertainties and maintaining competitiveness?

Across our five business platforms, we serve customers through category expertise and provide differentiated capabilities, all joined by a common Purpose to “Be the change for good food and a healthy future,” with our sustainability strategy, “Choices for Change”, at the core of our business.

ofi Vietnam Housing Project

We also focus on investing in people. With more than 4,500 employees in Vietnam, we emphasize three priorities: employee engagement, a diverse and inclusive culture, and talent development. Additionally, ofi’s direct and indirect sourcing network with thousands of farmers brings to life our “Choices for Change” sustainability strategy 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.

Recent changes in trade and tariff policies are reshaping Vietnam’s exports. How is this impacting your business?

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

Our global presence allows us to participate in different trade flows and reduce our dependence on any single market. For us, the impact so far has been manageable with our global operations in multiple geographies. Importantly, we continue to invest in Vietnam, with a new macadamia plant in Phu Yen in June 2025, strengthening our high-value product capabilities, and addressing customers' needs globally.

A farmer receiving cashew seedling from ofi Vietnam in 2024.

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

Vietnam’s agricultural export revenue reached USD 62.5 billion in 2024. The proactive shift from traditional agricultural production to a market-oriented agrarian economy was a major driver. Farmers increasingly understand that production must align with market demand.

I share the like-minded vision of Mr. Le Minh Hoan, Vice-Chairman, National Assembly of Viet Nam: “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.”

What does sustainability mean in practice for ofi Vietnam, and how do you empower farming communities?

At ofi, sustainability is central to our long-term success. We work with governments, farmers, civil society, and customers, including many of the world’s largest food brands and retailers, to deliver shared sustainability goals. Today, more than 130 collaborative programs are active worldwide.

In Vietnam, we empower farmers through training and certification, focusing on women. In 2024, we worked with over 8,500 smallholder farmers, including over 680 female coffee farmers, 280 female pepper and cassia growers, and 160 female cashew partners to expand sustainable production.

We also run community programs such as ofi Care, supporting over 500 female employees for their health and work-life balance, and the ofi YES! scholarship, which provided aid to more than 350 students in 2024. These efforts earned us recognition at the 2024 WEPs Awards in the category “Gender Equality in Community Engagement and Partnership.”

Mr. Gaurav Patil, Country Head of ofi Vietnam and his beloved family.

What experiences and values have shaped your leadership style as a millennial CEO?

Age is just a number. What really matters is the ability to learn, adapt, and stay relevant in a changing world.

Business has shifted dramatically in just the last five years since the pandemic. Remaining grounded in the face of accelerated change is essential.

I believe in purpose-led, integrated leadership: connecting our supply chain and aligning farmers, partners, customers, and teams toward a shared goal.

We must also embrace technologies like AI, while upskilling ourselves to stay competitive. Vietnamese talent embodies this drive to innovate and care for the community, which makes me optimistic.

With a Vietnamese wife and family, what makes Vietnam feel like home to you?

That's an intriguing question, thanks for bringing it up! On the surface, the answer is simple; my wife and children are my home. Their laughter in the house, our family rituals during Tet, and the daily life we've built together are the core of it. They are my anchor and my greatest joy here.

But beyond my family, Vietnam has become home in a much broader sense. The warmth of community, the essence of finding happiness in small things, and the inherent indomitable spirit make me deeply connected to Vietnam. Raising our children here as a Vietnamese family immersed me in everyday life's culture, values, and rhythms. It’s not just about adapting; it’s about truly belonging.

Professionally, leading teams and managing operations across the country has been incredibly rewarding. Over the last 14 years, I've witnessed and participated in its incredible economic transformation. There’s a palpable energy here - a desire to learn, grow, and compete globally. My Vietnamese colleagues' resilience, dedication, and entrepreneurial spirit continue to inspire me. I’ve had the privilege of building strong relationships, mentoring talent, and contributing to our business's growth in a way deeply rooted in the local context.

Vietnam isn’t just where I work; it’s where my children are growing up, where we’ve built our lives and future, and it will always be home.

Thank you very much!

Vietnam participates in Food Festival organized by Piraeus City authorities WVR - Not only an opportunity to promote culture and cuisine, participation in the Festival also helps strengthen understanding and friendship between the people of ...

Vietnam calls for serious implementation of international law – A key to strengthening global peace, stability, and sustainable development WVR - From October 7-10, the Legal Committee (Committee 6) of the 80th United Nations General Assembly held a plenary discussion on the topic “Rule ...