Malunggay tea, coconut sugar, San Mig products soon aboard intl cruise ships?

Soon, international cruise lines could carry Philippine products such as malunggay tea and coconut sugar, the Philippine Embassy in Washington said.

Philippine ambassador to Washington Jose Cuisia Jr. said cruise lines like Carnival, Royal Caribbean, and Norwegian Cruise Lines showed "serious interest" in carrying such items.

“The cruise lines welcomed our proposals for them to carry Philippine-made products such as souvenirs and furniture as well as other alternatives that they could offer their health-conscious guests such as coconut sugar and malunggay tea,” Cuisia said.

The Philippine Embassy in Washington said Cuisia had met the officials at a recent economic diplomacy mission in Florida.

Agriculture Attache Josyline Javelosa, who accompanied the envoy in the mission, said coconut sugar and malunggay tea are among the most promising products.

Javelosa also said cruise companies were also urged to consider fresh Philippine mangoes and bananas along with products of San Miguel Corp.

Stringent process

Commercial Counselor Maria Roseni Alvero, who also accompanied Cuisia, said food products offered to the cruise liners undergo a strict pre-qualification process.

But Alvero said she is confident Philippine food products can pass these tests and get carried by the cruise liners.

She also said Philippine products like dried and processed fruits, seafood and beverages will particularly benefit cruise guests and crew members who want ethnic foods and condiments.

Panama canal expansion

Meanwhile, Alvero said the Panama Canal expansion project to be completed in 2015 would also be advantageous to Philippine companies willing to penetrate not just the cruise ship market but also South America.

“The expansion of the Panama Canal will also result in greater trade with the US and South America as it will take a shorter time for Philippine food exports to reach their destinations,” she said.

Port of Miami Cargo Development Manager Eric Olafon noted the Panama Canal expansion will minimize travel time of goods from the Philippines to the Port of Miami from 21 days to 18 days. — Joel Locsin /LBG, GMA News