November 30, 2012
 

European official tells Philippine seafood exporters to comply with international standards

Seafood exporters in the Philippines eyeing European Union (EU) markets need to comply with the sustainability standards and certification systems required by their buyers.

This was the advice of Hugo Verhoeven, senior program manager for Asia and Eastern Europe of the Netherlands-based Center for the Promotion of Imports from developing countries (CBI).

"Supermarket chains, which are about 75 percent of the market, are requiring that seafood supplies of developing countries are produced in a sustainable way. So companies need to go for responsible fishing," Verhoeven said in a statement issued by the Philippine Exporters Confederation Inc.
 

Philippine suppliers should thus meet sustainability labels for seafood products, he added, citing the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) certification as an example.

"That is something that is going to be very important. If you are not able to comply with that, the chance of getting a market share of the EU market becomes less and less," the CBI official said.

Verhoeven pointed out that the Philippines has huge potential in the tuna, prawns and seaweeds subsectors. Of these products, tuna has better possibilities in terms of sustainability.

Tuna, including fresh or frozen ones and prepared or preserved in airtight containers, is among the Philippines's top export gainers.

"It is really essential that the tuna sector is moving toward more sustainability. I think the Philippines is taking steps [toward] that. That is something that has to be pursued in order to remain successful in exporting products to the European market," Verhoeven said.

He also said suppliers find standards and certification systems becoming tougher to meet.

"Companies are demanding more from suppliers. If you are able to comply [with these] and you have the right products, the right quality, then, you have a good chance of entering the EU market," the CBI official said.
 

According to Verhoeven, his organization has developed export-coaching programs for different sectors, including metalworking, food ingredients and tourism.

He said the programs assist exporters to determine the characteristics of the EU market, how to deal with the buyers, and how to improve their production and processes and product quality, among others.