The Department of Agriculture is expected to approve the importation of 140,000 metric tons of small pelagic fish, such as galunggong or roundscad, mackerel and bonito in the first semester to beef up supply and stockpile for the future, in case of a prolonged conflict between Russia and Ukraine.
It said stockpiling of fishes and other agricultural product is allowed to stave off food insufficiency threats that may stem from the ongoing war and plug the country’s deficit in fish inventory estimated at 200,000 MT.
The volume is supposedly the second tranche of fish importation approved in 2021. For this particular importation, the government is keen on removing all non-tariff barriers to expedite the arrival of imported fish.
The department said numerous scenarios to fortify food supply were discussed during a cabinet meeting two days ago, including expansion of pork inventory from imports, restocking of poultry especially dressed chicken in cold storage facilities, securing rice and corn stocks as well as sugar and wheat.