The Philippines is keen on exporting tuna and processed fish products to Russia, the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (Bfar) said on Tuesday.
The Bfar, an attached agency of the Department of Agriculture (DA), said it is pushing for a bilateral trade agreement with the Russian Federation. Representatives from Russia are expected to arrive in the country in the first quarter of next year to inspect local factories and facilities.
The agency noted that consumers in Russia favor fresh and processed fish products from the Philippines.
Local industry players have been urging the government to look for new markets and expand existing ones for fish products.
In view of this, the Bfar said it is working with local fish producers to increase grouper production and exports to Hong Kong. The government is also looking at shipping fish products directly to Shanghai in China.
The Bfar said the government is working closely with the private sector to expand the shipments of local fish products to other countries.
The agency said other countries now view the Philippines as a sustainable source of fish and processed fish products due to the reforms rolled out by the government to prevent illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing.
The Philippine government amended Republic Act (RA) 8550, or the Philippine Fisheries Code, into RA 10654. Among its provisions is the implementation of closed seasons in Philippine waters to protect fishes during their spawning season.
According to data from the Philippine Statistics Authority, exports of fresh and processed fish reached $994.61 million last year. The figure is nearly 14 percent lower than the $1.15 billion shipped out in 2013.