MANILA, Philippines — Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu-Laurel Jr. has allowed the importation of 25,000 metric tons of frozen fish, days after President Marcos issued Administrative Order No. 20 removing the non-tariff barriers on imported agricultural products.
Tiu-Laurel signed Memorandum Order 17, which provided the guidelines for the issuance of certificate of necessity to import 25,000 MT of frozen pelagic fish for wet markets from Oct. 1 to Dec. 21, 2024.
The memorandum states that 80 percent of the maximum importable volume (MIV) totaling 20,000 MT will be given to registered importers belonging to the commercial fishing sector.
“The MIV will be allocated based on fish landings of each of commercial fishing operator, (those) who have valid commercial fishing vessel and gear licenses and have contributed to the production in the past three years, as well as participated during the last importation period,” Tiu Laurel said.
He said the remaining 20 percent of the authorized importation totaling 5,000 metric tons would be allocated to fisheries associations and cooperatives.
“Importable volume will be based on their performance, taking into consideration the percentage arrival of fish imported from the preceding importation period. The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resourcs will assess the financial capacity of importers under this category. Only fisheries associations and cooperatives affected by the closed fishing season and have the financial capacity to import will be qualified to participate in this importation period,” Tiu Laurel said in the memorandum.
He said an initial volume of 112 MT, or equivalent to four shipping containers, would be awarded to each qualified importer belonging to the commercial fishing sector.
“The remaining volume will be distributed proportionately based on their percentage share from the total volume of fish landings in the past three years immediately preceding an importation period,” he added.
Sanitary and phytosanitary import clearances will be issued from Sept. 1 to Nov. 30.
“The fish to be imported must arrive not later than Jan. 15 of the succeeding year or 2025,” Tiu Laurel added.
The fish to be imported should be reported to the BFAR, which should encourage importers to immediately trade the fish to ensure it will not overlap with the local catch by the end of the closed fishing season, he added.
The BFAR has declared the fishing season closed to allow spawning periods for mature sardines from October to January.
The volume of fish imports this year is 29 percent lower than the 35,000 MT imported in 2023.
Latest monitoring by the Department of Agriculture showed retail prices of round scad ranged between P150 and P220 and Indian mackerel between P260 and P360 per kilo.