New packaging tech to boost RP exports

The country’s latest postharvest and packaging technologies will be presented next month at the World Trade Center Metro Manila by the Postharvest Horticulture Training and Research Center of the University of the Philippines Los Baños (PHTRC-UPLB).

These advanced technologies will help improve the quality, safety and marketability of the country’s agricultural produce in the face of the cheaper and "better packaged" imports, according to the PHTRC, which will set up a pavilion at the Agrilink 2001 exhibit to showcase the latest in postharvest and packaging systems, equipment and facilities.

Agrilink 2001 is the country’s biggest and most prestigious annual international agribusiness exhibition and conference.

The eighth since 1994, Agrilink 2001 will be held in tandem with Foodlink 2001, the 2nd International Food Processing/Packaging and Food Products Exhibition.

These events will be staged at the World Trade Center Metro Manila on Oct. 18-20 by the Foundation for Resource Linkage and Development (FRLD).

Complementing Agrilink and Foodlink will be the 1st International Postharvest Horticulture Conference slated at the Philippine International Convention Center and the World Trade Center on Oct. 17-19, according to FRLD president Antonio V. Roces.

Jointly organized by the FRLD and the PHTRC, the conference will update industry players on the trends and developments in postharvest handling, storage and transport of fresh fruits, vegetables, ornamentals and horticulture-based products.

Moreover, the activities will facilitate trade linkage among suppliers and users of postharvest systems and technologies.

Other details on the conference can be obtained from the PHTRC (tel. 049-5363138/5362444, fax 049-5363259, e-mail ibv@mudspring,uplb.edu.ph., [email protected] or [email protected]).

The conference will have internationally-renowned plenary speakers from the United States and Canada and around 300 local and foreign delegates.

On the other hand, the postharvest exhibit will showcase the packaging products, cooling and refrigeration systems, and transport and storage equipment, among others.