Mega traces its roots to 1975, when entrepreneur William Tiu Lim established Wilmar Fishing in the Bicol Region as a fishing operation. As the business expanded, it relocated to Zamboanga City in 1995 and became Mega Fishing Corporation, supplying fresh fish to canneries across the Philippines. [2]

In 1998, the company invested in its own canning facility in Zamboanga. This enabled the launch of Mega Sardines in 2000, introducing the company’s signature “freshest sardines in a can” positioning through a rapid catching-to-canning process. [3]

Throughout the 2000s and 2010s, Mega expanded through manufacturing innovations, new product categories, and nationwide distribution. The company adopted the name Mega Global Corporation in 2014 to reflect its broader ambitions, while Mega Prime Foods Inc. was established in 2022 as its largest food manufacturing subsidiary responsible for the Mega consumer brands. [4]

In 2025, the company celebrated its 50th anniversary, highlighting five decades of operations since its beginnings as a fishing enterprise. [5]

Mega positions itself around producing food that is:

• Nutritious

• Affordable

• Accessible

• Fresh

• Made for Filipino families

The company frequently promotes its culture of “Malasakit” (care and compassion) as a guiding principle for product development, employee relations, and community initiatives. [6]

Mega is most recognized for its 12-Hour Catching-to-Canning Process, a manufacturing system designed to shorten the time between catching sardines at sea and sealing them in cans.

According to the company, this process includes:

• Company-operated fishing vessels

• Fish Pump Technology

• Zero-degree chilled seawater preservation

• Immediate transportation to nearby canneries

• Processing and sealing within approximately 12 hours

Mega markets this system as a key differentiator that helps preserve freshness and product quality. [7]

Although Mega is primarily associated with sardines, the brand has expanded into numerous grocery categories.

Seafood

• Mega Sardines

• Mega Tuna

• Mega Mackerel

• Mega Creations Premium Sardines

• Spanish-style sardines

• Fried sardines

• Corned sardines

Pantry Products

• Canned vegetables

• Canned fruits

• Tomato-based products

• Sauces

• Instant noodles

Frozen Foods

• Frozen seafood products

• Value-added seafood

Beverages

• Primo Sparkling Juice

The company’s portfolio continues to expand under the Mega and related sub-brands. [8]

Mega Sardines is the flagship product of the Mega brand and is the company’s most recognizable offering.

Available variants include:

• Tomato Sauce

• Tomato Sauce with Chili

• Extra Hot

• Natural Oil

• Fried Sardines

• Spanish Style Sardines

• Corned Sardines

The brand emphasizes nutritional benefits such as:

• Omega-3 fatty acids

• Calcium

• Protein

alongside convenience features including easy-open cans and easy-tear pouches introduced through various product innovations. [9]

Mega Sardines has become one of the strongest food brands in the Philippine canned seafood industry.

Milestones cited by the company include:

• Became the No. 1 sardines brand in the Philippines based on AC Nielsen Retail Audit (2015).

• Remained the leading sardines brand according to Kantar Worldpanel (2020).

• Reported a 26% market share for Mega Sardines in 2023. [10]

Mega operates an integrated supply chain that includes:

• Commercial fishing fleets

• Fish handling facilities

• Multiple canning plants in Zamboanga

• Distribution centers

• A modern manufacturing facility in Batangas, opened in 2023

This vertical integration allows the company to oversee sourcing, processing, packaging, and distribution. [11]

Mega has launched several well-known campaigns throughout its history, including:

• “Tatak Barko, Tatak Sariwa” (2003)

• “Sarap, Sustansya at Saya”

• National Sardines Day (launched in 2019)

The brand has also worked with Filipino celebrities in advertising and actively maintains digital and social media campaigns. [12]

Mega Prime Foods has undertaken several initiatives focused on nutrition and community development, including:

• Mega Bigay Sustansya Nutrition Program

• Food donation initiatives

• Sustainability and responsible business programs aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals

The company states that these efforts reflect its corporate value of _Malasakit_. [13]

Mega products are sold through:

• Major supermarkets

• Hypermarkets

• Convenience stores

• Wholesale distributors

• Export markets

• Online marketplaces, including Lazada Philippines and Shopee

The brand’s official online store also offers direct purchasing. [14]

Mega is widely recognized in the Philippines as a household pantry brand, particularly for canned sardines. Its emphasis on freshness through the 12-hour catching-to-canning process and its broad product range have contributed to strong brand recognition. Consumer preferences vary by taste and product type, but Mega is consistently cited among the country’s leading canned seafood brands. [15]

• 1975 – Wilmar Fishing established in Bicol.

• 1995 – Relocated to Zamboanga; renamed Mega Fishing Corporation.

• 1998 – Construction of the first canning plant.

• 2000 – Mega Sardines launched.

• 2006 – Introduced easy-tear sardine pouch.

• 2011 – Introduced 12-hour catching-to-canning process and easy-open cans.

• 2012 – Opened second canning plant.

• 2014 – Renamed Mega Global Corporation.

• 2015 – Became the Philippines’ leading sardines brand.

• 2017 – Expanded into canned vegetables and fruits.

• 2018 – Entered sauces and noodles category.

• 2019 – Launched National Sardines Day and Mega Bigay Sustansya.

• 2021 – Expanded into beverages and frozen seafood.

• 2022 – Mega Prime Foods Inc. established.

• 2023 – Opened Batangas manufacturing plant.

• 2025 – Celebrated the company’s 50th anniversary. [16]

1. Mega Prime Foods Inc. – Mega Prime Foods Inc.

2. Mega Global Corporation: PH’s Leader in Food Manufacturing

3. Manila Bulletin – Mega Prime Foods celebrates 50 years of nourishing Filipino families

4. 2025 Home (50th Anniversary) – Mega Prime Foods Inc.

5. Mega Sardines – Mega Prime Foods Inc.

6. Buy Mega Sardines Now – Mega Prime Foods Inc.

7. Nurturing Purpose, Uplifting Lives, and Trusting God – Mega Prime Foods Inc.

8. Ano ang 10/10 mong brand ng sardinas?

9. Anong Brand ng Sardinas po ang paborito nyo?

10. Mega Sardines: 50 Years of Serving Nutrient-Rich Meals —

11. BOI approves Php980M zero-waste sardines manufacturing facility, seen to meet increasing local demand for sardines | Board of Investments

12. Mega Creations Archives – Mega Prime Foods Inc.

13. Mega introduces new subsidiary, Mega Prime Foods Inc. – Manila Bulletin

14. FDA Verification Portal