February 25, 2014

Philippines to boost poultry exports to Japan

The Philippines recently exported 4.8 tonnes of chicken parts and 11 tonnes of Peking ducks, which came from the Misamis Oriental-based SMFI-Maharlika Marine Ventures, to Japan, with more shipments expected this year, according to the country's Department of Agriculture (DA).

Citing reports from DA-Regional Field Unit 10, Agriculture Secretary Proceso Alcala said that Misamis Oriental-based SMFI Maharlika Marine Ventures has made its first shipment of 4,856 kilogrammes or 4.8 tonnes of fresh cut chickens to Japan in December 2013. Two weeks later, the company shipped 11,000 kilogrammes, or 11 tonnes of whole Peking duck.

The DA has been aggressively expanding export markets for Filipino poultry and livestock products, and took advantage of the country's status as free from major animal diseases, as it remains among the very few countries in the world free from foot-and-mouth disease and avian influenza or bird flu.

After the Korean Quarantine Inspection Agency granted Bulacan-based Bounty Fresh Food Inc. the go-signal for the export of fresh chicken products, the Philippines successfully cracked South Korea's US$300-million fresh frozen chicken market. That development propelled the Philippines to become the first and only Asian country to export poultry products to South Korea.

The DA said negotiations were also underway for the country's bid to export whole dressed chicken, pork and other meat products to the United Arab Emirates market, primarily aimed at Filipino workers and other foreign expatriates.