December 8, 2015

Taiwanese firm opens $15m feed plant in Philippines

A leading Taiwanese firm has opened a US$15-million feed mill in the Philippines, which it said would benefit from its innovative technologies and technical expertise.

The feed production facility of Grobest Holdings Ltd sits on a 14.2-hecatare property in Gerona town, Tarlac province, in northern Philippines. It has annual production capacities of 150,000 tonnes of aquatic feeds and 200,000 tonnes of livestock feeds. Grobest said the new facility uses new production technologies that ensure high-quality feeds.

The inauguration of the new facility on Dec. 2 was graced by Dr. Gary Song-Huann Lin, the Representative of the Taiwan Economic and Cultural Office (TECO) in the Philippines; Taiwan Minister of Council of Agriculture Dr. Bao-Ji Chen; Manila Economic and Cultural Office (MECO) chair Amadeo Perez Jr.; and MECO Resident Representative in Taiwan Antonio Basilio.

Also in attendance were Philippine government officials and the firm's top executives.

Grobest said the feed production facility would employ up to 200 local workers and benefit local farmers, as it will use locally produced agricultural products as raw materials.

Ambassador Lin said the Taiwanese firm would bring into the Philippines innovative technologies and technical expertise while the Philippines provides skilled labor.

For his part, Taiwanese Agriculture Minister Chen said the Philippines and Taiwan are increasingly looking at aquaculture as the future in food security.

"The growing population of both countries would propel Taiwan and the Philippines to look to the ocean for food security," he said, at the same time stressing the need to invest in aquaculture feed production.