NPCC to Address Fish Importation Concerns Amid DA Regulations

The National Price Coordinating Council (NPCC), an inter-agency body chaired by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), is set to prioritize discussions on the Department of Agriculture’s (DA) recent order affecting fish importation during its upcoming meeting. This follows the DA’s issuance of Memorandum Order No. 14, which halts the import clearances for galunggong (round scad), mackerel, and bonito, raising concerns about potential price increases for canned sardines due to a reduced fish supply.

DTI Undersecretary Jose Edgardo Sunico highlighted the NPCC’s role in managing suggested retail prices and addressing manufacturers’ concerns regarding price adjustments and supply-demand dynamics. The DA’s administrative order aims to regulate the diversion of imported fish to local markets, ensuring that these are utilized for their intended canning and processing purposes.

While the importation of mackerel for canning will still be permitted, it will be contingent upon the previous year’s sales plus an additional 10% buffer. Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. disclosed that an estimated 90,000 to 100,000 metric tons of these fish are misdirected annually, prompting a need for stricter monitoring and regulation.

Secretary Tiu Laurel reassured canned fish manufacturers that the import limitations should not lead to supply shortages, as the import volume will be based on verifiable sales data, with an allowance for a 10% increase. This measure is intended to prevent illegal market diversions and stabilize the supply chain for the canning industry.

The upcoming NPCC meeting aims to further clarify these regulations, ensuring that the new importation guidelines do not adversely affect the market stability and pricing of canned fish products in the Philippines.