October 11, 2006 

 

Linking the Philippine agribusiness chain

 

An eFeedLink Exclusive

 

 

Though much of havoc wrought by typhoon Xangsane was still felt a week after it hit the country, this didn't stop Philippine and foreign agri-players from trooping down to the World Trade Centre in Pasay City, Manila for the 13th International Agribusiness Exhibition and Seminars (Agrilink), dubbed the most prestigious international agricultural trade show in the country.  The event, held from Oct 5 to 7, was a triple treat, since it also included the 7th Food Processing, Packaging and Products Exhibition (Foodlink) and the 2nd National Fisheries Exhibition and Seminars (Aqualink).

 

Since it was first conceived in 1994 as a livestock show in Davao City, Agrilink has become not just a showcase of exhibits and seminars but has evolved into one big gathering of industry players, a partnership between the government and private sector, and a one-stop shop for agri goods and services, information sourcing, meeting old friends and making new ones--essentially, a venue for uniting the whole agribusiness marketing chain locally and globally.

 

With the theme, "Genetics: Vital to Agribusiness Competitiveness", organisers the Foundation for Resource Linkage and Development (FRLD) and the Department of Agriculture (DA), have deemed it important to focus this year's show on genetics.

 

Crop yields and livestock production in the Philippines have been enhanced as a result of genetic application. "We've seen how genetics has greatly improved certain crops and made them world-class and competitive. We've also seen how tilapia, as conducted by the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, now has replaced the round scad as the fish of the Filipino masses through genetics," said FRLD president Antonio Roces.

 

This theme was highlighted in some seminars such as one conducted by the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources on tilapia farming, the use of Bt corn in minimising mycotoxin contamination in animal feeds by Monsanto Philippines and sugarcane variety improvement through complex genetics i.e., molecular markers, regional germplasm and its implications to production.

 

Over 200 companies showcased their products and services in 260 indoor and outdoor booths. San Miguel Food Incorporated (SMFI)--one of the country's biggest food conglomerates--is one of Agrilink's major patrons since the show's inception. "Our participation in Agrilink has boosted our capacities to reach out to the countryside since this exhibit is very much known by the farmers, agri-workers and everyone involved in agriculture. By far, Agrilink has been our linkage in bridging our gaps to farmers, academe, integrators and traders who are unaware that we are also their partners and helpers in advancing their agri-businesses, aside from just being a corporation," says Jay Lugay, SMFI's product manager.

 

Agrilink regulars, the French and Dutch pavilions, have doubled their participation with 16 to 24 booths participated by 31 companies this year for the French, and from 10 to 12 booths joined by 4 companies by the Dutch. Stephane Khaled, business development manager for the French Chamber of Commerce in the Philippines, expressed optimism that through the show, French agri-traders will penetrate the Philippine market shortly.

 

"Admittedly, France isn't really familiar with Philippine food and agriculture and that's why our association has been actively participating in trade shows like Agrilink, which has been our connection to reach out to our prospective clients and markets." Through Agrilink, Khaled adds that the Philippines has gradually become an attractive market for France, as Philippine farms, like French ones, are small, which makes it ideal for business ventures.

 

Over at the Dutch pavilion, a feed milling manufacturer Van Aarsen reportedly sold one of its feed milling equipment at a sum of 1 million pesos (US$20,000).

 

Agrilink newbie Triumph Special Tools and Steel Limited, a feed milling and agri-machinery equipment manufacturer from Thailand, also found market prospects and is now in contact with agri-giants SMFI and Universal Robina Corporation for business deals. "We've had some success through this show and we've discovered that the Philippines is a potential market. We will definitely return next year," says Saovapak Kosithkun, Triumph's administration manager. Triumph also exports its products to Japan, US, Korea, Sri Lanka and Egypt.

 

Another newcomer, the Philippine Boer Breeders Association, was one of the most visited booths outside the exhibit area, as their fine goat breeds, particularly their Boers, has been a crowd-drawer. "We are having a very hard time promoting goats as a good business because people do not really know the ins and outs of goat breeding. We're very happy with Agrilink because this has given us the exposure that we really need," says Sixto Villaluz, owner of SMV goat farm. The breeders expect to earn at least P100,000 from animal sales within the three-day exhibit.

 

China's leading feed milling corporations, Jiangsu Muyang and Jiangsu Zhengchang also expressed satisfaction with the entire show. "We've been participating for straight eight years now, and we can say that Agrilink has helped us become visible within the agri-community. We've boosted our sales since we started participating in the exhibit," says Luis Adriano, president of LA Agro, a local distributor of Jiangsu Zhengchang equipment. To date, Jiangsu Zhengchang has feed milling plants across seven Philippine companies such as General Milling, YKK, Limketkai, Everest Farn, Minalen Farm, Fil-Agro and San Andres Production Farm.

 

Tim Xu, sales executive manager for International Business Department of Jiangsu Muyang, shared his optimism of the Philippine market. "The turnout of people visiting and participating in Agrilink is a statement that the Philippine market is on a rebound and is opening doors for wider trading. We will definitely come back next year as we know that this is the best exhibit in the Philippines." Xu suggested that Agrilink should branch out as a single exhibit focusing on one industry, to catering specifically for a certain sector. This would "put emphasis more on one sector so that a broader knowledge and information on a certain industry can be disseminated," he says.

 

The joint Agrilink, Foodlink and Aqualink show, which is sponsored by Monsanto, Univet and SMFI, aims to have more international exhibitors next year. "We have already gained momentum with the international business community through tie-ups, business ventures, linkages and other collaborations. But we would want our visitors and exhibitors to have wider options and definitely want to show the world that the Philippines is ready for globalisation," says Roces.