Canned tuna Central Mindanao’s top export

GENERAL SANTOS CITY, Philippines — Canned tuna remained the top export earner for Central Mindanao in the first half this year, official data has shown. Total value of canned tuna in the six months to June reached $136.6 million, with export value in the second quarter surging by 66% to $82.3 million from $54.3 million in the first quarter, records from the Philippine Exporters Confederation, Inc.-Region 12 (Philexport-12) showed. Six of the country’s seven tuna canneries are based in this city, dubbed as the "Tuna Capital of the Philippines." The total regional output for its top 10 commodities shipped abroad amounted to $295 million, with the first quarter accounting for $133.6 million and the following quarter $162.3 million. Europe dislodged the United States as the top market during the second quarter, with the former buying $69.8 million of the region’s products and the latter taking in $43 million. In the first quarter, the United States took the bulk of the region’s exports $51 million, while Europe bought $47.6 million. In an interview, Ronnie P. Masicampo, executive director of Philexport-12, said the recession in the United States could have been the main factor why Europe emerged as the top market for Central Mindanao products in the second quarter. "There’s a recession in the United Statesdemand has dropped and shifted to Europe," he explained. Japan consistently maintained its third place in the first ($8.7 million) and second ($23.1 million) quarters for a total of $31.8 million. Rounding up the top 10 foreign markets for Central Mindanao products were Korea, Canada, Kuwait, China, Vietnam, Thailand and Saudi Arabia. After canned tuna, canned pineapple, which is mainly produced by multinational firm Dole Philippines, Inc., maintained its second ranking, although its value in the second quarter dropped to $26.1 million from $31.1 million from the previous quarter. Coconut oil was the third major export product of Central Mindanao, posting $21.2 million in the second quarter from $18.5 million in the first quarter. Frozen tuna loins came in fourth, increasing to $12.7 million in the second quarter from $11.2 million the previous quarter. The other top commodities of the region during the second quarter include fresh pineapple, smoked fish, copra, frozen milkfish, scrap tins and dried fruits. - BusinessWorld