RP eyes Asia, EU for canned tuna

The government will intensify its lobby for increased market access for local canned tuna to its neighbors in Asia and European Union countries following the recent setback in the US market.

Trade and Industry Secretary Manuel Roxas II said yesterday that the government will discuss with Asian and European trade officials the issue of increased market access for Philippine canned tuna export during the 4th Asia-Europe Economic Ministers Meeting in Denmark this month.

"The forthcoming discussion is a concerted effort of the government in pursuing increased access for Philippine tuna," Roxas said.

"The government and private sector are exploring all avenues, both formal and informal for lobbying," he added.

Roxas said that aside from aggressively lobbying with trade officials of the European Union, the DTI is also pushing for the inclusion of tuna in the list of products under the US Generalized Systems of Preferences (GSP).

The European Union currently slaps a 24- percent tariff on Philippine tuna exports while tuna from Africa, the Caribbean, Pacific countries and from the Andean countries enter the EU duty-free.

Recently, the Philippines suffered a setback with the approval of the US Congress of the Andean Trade Preference Act which allowed the duty-free importation of pouched tuna from Andean countries.

Canned tuna, which accounted for the bulk of the country’s tuna shipments to the US, was slapped a tariff rate of between six percent and 12.5 percent.

Industry analysts said the emerging market for tuna in pouches is expected to grow by six percent by the end of this year; eight percent by the end of 2005; 12.2 percent by the end of 2007; and 15.4 percent by 2012.

They also said the because of the recent US decision to allow Andean tuna to enter the US duty-free, the country’s tuna exports will drop by five percent in 2003; 15 percent in 2004; and 40 percent for 2005 and beyond.