Philippines Defers Fish Imports to October Amid Stable Local Supply

The Department of Agriculture (DA) announced on Wednesday that the importation of 250,000 metric tons (MT) of fish has been pushed back to October due to stable local supply. The DA had earlier stated that it would begin issuing sanitary and phytosanitary import clearances (SPSICs) on August 1 for the fish importation program. "That 250,000 metric tons is already final for the year. But it will only be triggered when needed. Right now, for instance, the fishing season has been extended due to El Niño. There is also an abundant supply of milkfish and other fish," Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. told reporters. "So it will likely be triggered only during the closed season, perhaps in October or November when the fishing season closes. At the moment, seafood prices appear to be stable," he added. In March, the DA issued Department Circular No. 12, authorizing the importation of 250,000 MT of frozen fish and other fishery and aquatic products for direct consumption. Under the circular, 10,000 MT of the total volume is reserved for distribution through Kadiwa stores. The remaining allocation will be distributed at a ratio of 80% for importers in the commercial sector and 20% for associations or cooperatives. For the commercial sector, 70% of the allocation will be distributed among qualified importers, while the remaining 30% will be allocated through a raffle as a performance-based incentive. Eligible importers may bring in crabs, lobsters, prawns, shrimp, clams, mussels, octopus, oysters, scallops, sea urchins, and squid. The DA also allowed the importation of a wide variety of fish species, including Alaskan pollock, anchovies, amberjack, barramundi, bigeye, capelin, cobia, cod, channel rockfish, croaker, dolphinfish, eel, emperor, flounder, fusilier, goldbanded fish, gourami, grouper, gurnard, haddock, hairtail, hake, halibut, and hoki. Other species include mackerel, marlin, moonfish, mullet, Nile perch, oilfish, orange roughy, pangasius, plaice, pomfret, ponyfish, rabbitfish, red bream or alfonsino, sablefish, snapper, salmon, and sardines. Source: GMA News Philippines