Davao Oriental’s hot chili attracts buyers from Singapore and Indonesia

DAVAO CITY (PNA) – Hot chili (siling labuyo) processed into chili powder, chili paste, or chili flakes in selected towns of Davao Oriental has drawn the attention of buyers from Singapore and Indonesia.

Domingo S. Cruz, of Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) -Davao Oriental, said buyers chanced upon the product when Pablo Hot Chili was part of the National Food Fair held in Manila last April.

“After that exposure, we got several queries already, both from the local and international market,” he said.

He said these are prospective markets pending approval of certification from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

“Products that will be marketed internationally must bear among others an FDA certification,” Cruz said.

He also said that in the absence of an FDA certification, the product could not be sold commercially in groceries and other stores.

“The processing of the FDA certification is ongoing,” he said.

He said there are several requirements that processors must comply with like the building structure, equipment, and other facilities.

This would entail some costs, prompting DTI and the provincial and local government units of Davao Oriental to help the producers meet some of the requirements, he added.

“Hopefully they can get the certification within this year; two of the seven processors have the capacity to comply with the requirements,” Cruz added.

Named after Typhoon Pablo

Pablo Hot Chili came about after several coconut farms were badly hit by Typhoon Pablo, he said.

Some 300 farmers are involved in the production of hot chili covering 50 hectares of farm land in the three towns affected by the typhoon.

The chili fruit are processed into hot chili powder, hot chili paste, and hot flakes by seven processors in the towns of Boston, Baganga, and Cateel.

Cruz said three of the processors already passed evaluation and assessment by the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) for its nutritional facts while the products of the other four processors are ongoing. The Bacteriology Test still has to be undertaken by the DOST to determine the shelf life of the product, he said.

Once Pablo Hot Chili meets accreditation requirements, including the FDA certificate, the product will go full swing in local and international market.

In support to the product, the DTI launched the Pablo Hot Chili brand on June 27 during the Inalima Trade Exhibit.

Cruz said the prospect of this product is good because there is a big demand for processed chili. With the projected demand, he said, government is now looking at expanding the production area to 400 hectares not only in the three existing areas but also in the neighboring towns.

The increase in the processing of hot chili products would also mean more job opportunities for the residents of the different towns in Davao Oriental.

The Pablo Hot Chili is being sold locally in the province and in an exhibit stall in Abreeza Mall in Davao City.