The Philippines is a major producer and consumer of milkfish, also known as bangus. Domestic production meets the country's demand, with a self-sufficiency ratio exceeding 100%. Milkfish is a staple in Filipino cuisine and is exported to countries with large Filipino populations.
Bangus or milkfish is a popular fish product in the Philippines. It is featured in a number of dishes that are widely consumed in the country, such as paksiw. It can also be fried and paired with vegetables, a combination preferred by many Filipino Catholics who shun meat during Lent and on Fridays. A roadmap released by the Department of Agriculture in 2021 noted that in terms of market and trade, milkfish is one of the largest volumes of fish sold everyday in all public markets.
Most of the bangus sold in local markets are in fresh chilled form either in whole or deboned. It is also processed into value-added forms, such as smoked, dried, marinated, fermented, canned or bottled. Based on official government data, the local consumption of milkfish has been expanding annually by at least 3 percent. In 2019, total consumption reached 264,162 MT or nearly double the 136,593 MT recorded in 2000. Per capita consumption jumped to 2.46 kilogram per year from 1.89 kg during the same period. The good news is that local production is enough to meet the domestic requirement for milkfish. Of the bangus consumed by Pinoys, only a fraction is purchased from abroad. From 2010 to 2019, the milkfish self-sufficiency ratio had breached 100 percent, so importation had been very minimal. What these numbers prove is that the Philippines is capable of producing not only the requirements of the domestic market, but also that of foreign buyers. Local traders export frozen prime cuts of milkfish bellies and backs, including heads and tails, as well as canned, dried and smoked bangus. Main markets are Canada and the United States where millions of migrant Filipinos reside. Despite its potential to improve the income of fishers and prop up the country’s GDP, the milkfish sector continues to be hounded by several problems that prevent it from further increasing its contribution to the econom
MILKFISH BANGUS PHILIPPINES FISH PRODUCTION FOOD SECURITY
Philippines Latest News, Philippines Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Philippines, Denmark MOU to enhance education and training of Filipino healthcare professionalsThe Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) is now crafting a new Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Denmark, which will provide Filipino healthcare professionals access to upskilling programs. The proposed MOU will cover Filipino nursing professionals and healthcare assistants, who are interested to working in Denmark.
Read more »
Filipino Death Row Inmate Mary Jane Veloso Returns to PhilippinesPresident Marcos thanked the Indonesian government for the safe return of Mary Jane Veloso, a Filipino death row inmate who was transferred to Philippine custody.
Read more »
Filipino Students in Poland Embraced as Ambassadors of the PhilippinesJaime Bonifacio Jr., a Filipino student pursuing a European Public Health Master program in Poland, exemplifies the growing number of Filipinos studying abroad and contributing to their home country's progress. He, along with other Filipino students and researchers, participated in a gathering organized by academics and the Philippine Embassy in Warsaw. Philippine Ambassador Leah Basinang-Ruiz emphasized the pivotal role these students play in strengthening Philippine-Poland ties and encouraged them to actively engage with the embassy and contribute to the Philippines' development.
Read more »
Filipino Figure Skater Korovin to Represent Philippines at Asian Winter GamesThe naturalization of Russian figure skater Aleksandr Korovin gives the Philippines a boost for the upcoming Asian Winter Games. Korovin, who partnered with Filipino skater Isabella Gamez, will compete for the Philippines in February. Korovin's naturalization allows him to represent the Philippines in international competitions.
Read more »
Philippine Milkfish Industry Faces Challenges of Reliance on Imports, Data GapsThe Philippine milkfish industry is grappling with several key challenges, including its heavy reliance on imported fry, which exposes local producers to price fluctuations and supply disruptions. High feed costs, poor farming practices leading to environmental damage, and a lack of reliable data on production and trade are further hindering growth. Stakeholders call for coordinated efforts, improved policies, and strategic investments to support the industry's development and competitiveness.
Read more »
Karl Eldrew Yulo pulls off 8-gold sweep in Hong Kong tiffMANILA, Philippines — Filipino gymnast Karl Eldrew Yulo continues to show his immense promise by the day.
Read more »