Fruit exporter AgriNurture (ANI) on Monday listed in the Philippine Stock Exchange (PSE) by way of introduction, marking the local bourse's first listing this year.

ANI is the eighth company to list by introduction, a process which does not involve a public offering.

Other companies that have listed through this method include the PSE, insurance giants Manulife Financial Corp. and Sunlife Financial Services of Canada, Metro Pacific Investments Corp., property giant VistaLand and Lifescapes Inc., contact center firm eTelecare Global Solutions Inc., and Petroenergy Resources Corp.

Early this year, ANI also became the first Philippine firm to be listed in the National Stock Exchange of Australia (NSX). NSX is the home of agricultural, mining, and emerging technology companies that have a combined market capital of $620 million ($800 million Australian dollars).

Incorporated in 1997, ANI started its business operations as an importer, trader, and fabricator of post-harvest agricultural machinery aimed at improving the productivity of Filipino farmers.

The company eventually diversified into various agro-commercial businesses, particularly in the export trading of fresh Philippine carabao mangoes. It also supplies other homegrown fruits such as bananas, pineapples, and papayas to customers in Hong Kong, mainland China, Europe, and the Middle East.