April 5, 2010
 

Pioneer Hi-Bred sees Philippines as export hub

Pioneer Hi-Bred has invested an initial PHP1 billion (US$23.04 million) for phases 1 and 2 of a new 7.4 hectare seed processing plant in Tarlac which was formally inaugurated on April 4.

The Tarlac facility, which can produce up to 12,000 tonnes of seeds a year, will initially serve local Philippine market.

The Tarlac plant is the second plant of Pioneer Hi-Bred in the Philippines. The company has an existing plant in Polomolok, South Cotabato.

According to country manager Jet Parma, depending on further studies and opportunities, Pioneer Hi-Bred eventually hopes to market its hybrid corn and rice seeds to other South East Asian countries.

Parma says the Tarlac plant's hybrid seed production is mainly geared for corn production, as its hybrid rice production is just starting up.

At present, the Tarlac plant is producing 4,000 tonnes a year but this can be easily raised to 5,000 tonnes/year, tells Parma.

Pioneer Hi-Bred Philippines is currently crunching numbers on the possible demand in South East Asia so that in the next five years it can start exporting some of its production to such countries as Vietnam and Pakistan.

Pioneer Hi-Bred Philippines currently controls more than 40 percent of the local hybrid corn market. Its competitors locally and in the Asia-Pacific region are Monsanto and Syngenta.

Pioneer Hi-Bred International is a subsidiary of global science company Du Pont.