September 13, 2006

 

San Miguel to build hitech feed mill in Indonesia's Manado       

 

 

Food and agribusiness giant San Miguel Corporation (SMC) is reportedly planning to build a feed mill in Manado, Indonesia to supply feed products to the region's animal and halal poultry industries.

 

Halal food refers to food prepared in the way endorsed by the Islamic faith.

 

Undersecretary Virgilio Leyretana, chair of the Manado Economic and Development Council (Medco), said the company has stated its intention to develop Manado and other areas in Indonesia's North Sulawesi province to supply cheaper corn and other raw materials for its feed processing operations.

 

He added that a major bugbear the poultry industry is facing now is the price and supply of corn-based feeds. Thus, San Miguel's plant would be a major boost to the industry, Leyretana said.

 

Leyretana said SMC's venture would also benefit poultry and swine producers in other regions, since many areas have direct shipping links with the Indonesian port city.

 

Leyretana said SMC had agreed to produce cheaper feeds for the halal poultry industry to aid the government's aim of tapping the market in halal food products for the Middle East and Muslim-dominated countries in Southeast Asia.

 

Manado's annual chicken production averages at 212,456 tonnes, with most of it for local consumption.

 

Even if the region gets just two percent of the Middle East market, it would have provided jobs and greater opportunities for the industries in the region, Leyretana said. 

 

The Muslim Business Forum based in this city earlier said the global Halal market now serves over 1.48 billion Muslims. The Centre for American Muslim Research and Information estimates the international halal food trade is worth US$150 billion a year, with the buying power of Muslims in the US alone at US$12 billion.

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