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Employees process cans of sardines at the Mega Prime Foods Inc. (MPFI) manufacturing plant in Sto. Tomas, Batangas March 1, 2023.

Employees process cans of sardines at the Mega Prime Foods Inc. (MPFI) manufacturing plant in Sto. Tomas, Batangas March 1, 2023. Jonathan Cellona, ABS-CBN News

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Sardines factory

Lady Vicencio

ABS-CBN News

<div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/171222309640020230301-mega-processing-plant-JC5044.jpg" style="width:900px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" alt="Group warns of price hike after suspension of mackerel import clearance"/><span id="isPasted" style="color:rgb(51, 51, 51);letter-spacing:normal;orphans:2;text-align:start;text-indent:0px;text-transform:none;widows:2;word-spacing:0px;-webkit-text-stroke-width:0px;white-space:pre-wrap;background-color:rgb(255, 255, 255);text-decoration-thickness:initial;text-decoration-style:initial;text-decoration-color:initial;display:inline !important;float:none">Employees process cans of sardines at the Mega Prime Foods Inc. (MPFI) manufacturing plant in Sto. Tomas, Batangas March 1, 2023. Jonathan Cellona, ABS-CBN News</div>MANILA -- Supply for raw fish may take a hit following the suspension of import clearances for galunggong, mackerel, and bonito, the Canned Sardines Association of the Philippines (CSAP) said on Thursday.The Department of Agriculture issued a memorandum order following reports of illegal diversion of certain types of fish meant for canning to wet markets.<div><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/business/2024/4/2/agri-dept-suspends-imports-of-galunggong-other-fish-1625" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">DA suspends issuance of import clearances for galunggong, other fish</a></div>CSAP Executive Director Francisco Buencamino said while the memorandum order allows importation of mackerel for canning purposes, limitations on the allowed volume would have an effect on the production of canned sardines.“Directly magkakaroon ng epekto ‘yan because kung ang source ng raw material nila is traditionally being imported, hindi ba sinuspinde si Sec. Laurel? And therefore we will start reducing our sources of raw material especially mackerel is not available naman sa local,” Buencamino said.(That will have a direct effect because the source of their raw material is traditionally being imported. We will reduce our sources of raw material because mackerel is not available locally.)Buencamino added that prices of sardines could increase should supply be affected.“Tataas ang presyo pero bababa ang supply… Ang bonito at galunggong pwede Philippine source among local fishermen. Ang mackerel can only come imported,” Buencamino said.(The price will increase but the supply will decrease... Bonito and galunggong can be sourced locally by local fishermen The mackerel can only be imported.) While the group expressed support for the Department of Agriculture’s move to suspend import clearances, Buencamino said the issuance of the memorandum order came as a surprise as they were allegedly not consulted on its possible effect on the industry.“Tama naman na ihinto yan ng Secretary of Agriculture. Medyo nabigla lang siguro ang industriya na biglang nahinto nang walang usapan muna sa industriya between government and industry so we can find a way and meet on how to control it from going to market,” Buencamino said.(It is right for the Secretary of Agriculture to stop that. Perhaps the industry was just a bit shocked that it was suddenly stopped without a discussion first between government and industry, so we can find a way and meet on how to control it from going to market.) “Meron namang content of truth na there were not very well-intended importers who wanted to bring in by technical smuggling using the import license of canneries… Sapagkat ang importation kunwari sa cannery pero pagdating ng raw material dumidiretso na sa wet market. Kawawa naman ang mga local fishermen.” he added.(There is a content of truth that there were not very well-intended importers who wanted to bring in by technical smuggling using the import license of canneries... Because the importation is supposed to be in with canneries but when the raw material arrives, it goes straight to the wet market. Local fishermen will be affected.)Trade Undersecretary Ed Sunico said his agency would monitor any risk to price stability.“By next week, we will have a meeting with manufacturers. So far wala pa kaming naririnig na may (we have not yet heard of a) risk of supply issue sa (for) sardines. We will be monitoring it closely,” Sunico said.

Supply for raw fish may take a hit following the suspension of import clearances for galunggong, mackerel, and bonito, the Canned Sardines Association of the Philippines said.

Supply for raw fish may take a hit following the suspension of import clearances for galunggong, mackerel, and bonito, the Canned Sardines Association of the Philippines said.

Group warns of price hike after suspension of mackerel import clearance

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Group warns of price hike after suspension of mackerel import clearance

Lady Vicencio,

ABS-CBN News

Published Apr 04, 2024 05:47 PM PHT

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Updated Jun 10, 2024 02:00 PM PHT

Read More:

galunggong

mackerel

sardines

sardinas

canned sardines

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