April 19, 2007

Philippines to export processed meat products
 

Despite the peso's continued strength against the dollar, Philippine meat processors are still keen on entering the global processed meat market,  an official of the Philippine Association of Meat Processors Inc. (Pampi) said.

However, Pampi president Felix Tiukinhoy said that before going into exports, local meat industry players must acknowledge the need of heavy investments in packaging and technology to be globally competitive.

He also said accreditation from the Hazard Analysis of Critical Control Point and the International Standard Organization will assure stakeholders of access to the international market.

Tiukinhoy also stressed the need of government interventions, in terms of securing accreditation to countries receiving the exports such as bilateral trade agreements.

He believes locally processed meat has a big market among overseas Filipino workers and potential export markets such as the United States, Middle East, Europe, Japan, China and many others.

Tiukinhoy is also confident the country will seize a good market once local products are "Halal -accredited" which means the ingredients are safe and clean to be used for Muslim food.

Tiukinhoy said he foresees a bright future for the local meat and meat produced because Visayas and Mindanao continue to be foot-and-mouth (FMD) disease-free.