PH’s bangus, shrimps get world’s attention

Eight Philippine exporters racked up $211 million (P10.54 billion) worth of orders and inquiries at a trade fair in Dubai on November, according to the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR).

The Department of Agriculture, which supervises BFAR, facilitated the participation of companies, including Fisher Farms Inc., RGE Agridev Corp., Seaworld Commercial Trading Corp., Mega Fishing Corp., Philfresh Corp., Phil-Union Frozen Foods Inc., Nuevo Fresco Marine Trading Corp., and Jam Seafoods Inc., in this year’s Seafex.

BFAR described Seafex as “the largest gathering of seafood buyers from top-tier and mainstream companies in the lucrative MEASA [Middle East and South Asia] region.” Seafex 2016 brought together buyers from importing countries, including United Arab Emirates, Lebanon, India, Sri Lanka, South Africa, Iraq, Bahrain, Egypt, Turkey, China, Morocco, Saudi Arabia, Ukraine and Norway, among others.

Among the Philippine commodities that drew buyers were shrimp, milkfish (“bangus”), canned tuna, canned sardines, frozen tuna, value-added seafood products and live lobsters and groupers.

“The success of our exhibit in Dubai proves that strong collaborations … can help us catch the big fish,” Agriculture Secretary Emmanuel F. Piñol said in a statement.