Agri-based manufacturing pushed

CEBU, Philippines - The National Economic and Development Authority is pushing for the development of agri-based manufacturing noting the rising export demand for agricultural products such as coconut byproducts.

A report from PhilExport Cebu revealed that virgin coconut oil, coconut water, and other health-friendly products have started to surge paving way for entrepreneurs to make profit from the country's rich source of coconut.

NEDA-7 assistant regional director Efren Carreon said processed agricultural products manufacturing is being pushed. In fact, Cebu is already hosting manufacturing plants for processed goods such as dried mangoes, VCO, among others.

He added that with the evolving technology, more and more fruits that are abundant in the Visayas can now be processed into dried goods, juice, and other products in pressurized packages deemed profitable for both local and international markets.

Pushing agri-based manufacturing will not only help improve the employment rate in Cebu but will also help farmers in other neighboring provinces like Negros, Bohol and even Leyte to increase cost of agricultural products like coconut, Guyabano, buko juice (coconut water), jackfruit, and Moringa (Malunggay), among others.

Cebu’s position as the center of trade with good logistical infrastructure is a strategic location for this type of investment, Carreon said.

Farmers on the other hand, will be encouraged to grow fruits and other agricultural products that have good demand volume.

Last year, the Department of Trade and Industry Cebu Provincial Office announced that it is poised to help the local beauty and wellness manufacturers to help them access the US$3 trillion global market for beauty and wellness.

DTI-CPO director Nelia F. Navarro said her office will enlist the local manufacturers of beauty and wellness products such as makers of beauty soaps, essential oils, food supplement like VCO, among others.

"We find difficulties in gathering data and information on the local manufacturers in the beauty and wellness sector. But, we are trying to reach out to them,” said Navarro.

Based on the Philippine Coconut Authority record, export volume performance of VCO products from the Philippines registered a consistent double-digit growth in recent years.

PCA said that export earnings from VCO grew by 138.65 percent, from $3.17 million to $7.56 million in the first three months of 2012.

Philippine coconut oil is exported to 27 countries in Asia, Europe and the United States, with France registering the highest increase in value,

According to PCA, awareness of VCO’s health benefits for the surge in overseas sales.

Virgin coconut oil is obtained from fresh and mature kernels of the coconut by mechanical or natural means, with or without the use of heat, and is suitable for consumption without further processing. (FREEMAN)