Philippines importS 55,000 MT of frozen fish products
Importation aims to stabilize supply during closed fishing season
PHILIPPINES – The Philippines is moving to import 55,000 metric tonnes (MT) of frozen fish to address possible shortages after recent typhoons and in preparation for the upcoming closed fishing season.
Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. signed Memorandum Order 47, which outlines the rules for the importation program to cover October through December.
The order specifies that commercial importers will initially receive a minimum import volume (MIV) of 112 MT, while fisheries associations and cooperatives will have an initial allocation of 56 MT.
Additional volumes for the commercial fishing sector will be distributed based on each group’s percentage share of total fish landings.
For cooperatives, the remaining allocation will be divided proportionately according to their percentage share from the previous importation period under Fisheries Administrative Order (FAO) 259.
Alongside these allocations, 2,000 MT will go to accredited importers recognized under the government’s Kadiwa program, which links producers directly with consumers to provide more affordable food.
Only registered importers under FAO 259 are permitted to participate in this latest program.
The Department of Agriculture said import clearances will begin on September 15 to ensure arrivals coincide with the start of the fishing ban.
In a related move, Laurel also issued Memorandum Order 46 authorizing the importation of 22,000 MT of assorted frozen seafood between September and December.
This order followed a recommendation by the National Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Management Council (NFARMC), which cited the need to expand consumer options and address market demand.
According to the department, the combined import program covers 56 different fish and seafood species.
Approved species include alaskan pollock, anchovies, barramundi, capelin, chilean seabass, cobia, cod, whiting, croaker, dolphin fish, eel, flounder, fusilier, gourami, grouper, haddock, hairtail, hake, halibut, hamachi, hoki, mackerels, marlin, mollusks, pangasius, plaice, mullet, nile perch, octopus, oilfish, pomfrets, rabbitfish, red snapper, salmon, sardines, sea bream, squid, swordfish, trout, trevally, tuna, and yellowtail sole.
The department added that participants in the 22,000 MT seafood program must either have been accredited importers for at least one year or be previously registered under FAO 259 and active in earlier CNI importations.
Both orders are part of the government’s short-term measures to stabilize the country’s fish supply and keep wet market prices within reach for consumers.
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