By PNA and U.S. News Agency / Asian

Mindanao seafood traders are shifting their eyes to new markets in Europe following their participation in the 29th International Boston Seafood show in March, the Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA) said in a statement.

Ten Mindanao seafood companies, with their products gaining international recognition, are joining the Philippine delegation to the 2011 European Seafood Exposition on May 3 to 5 in Brussels, Belgium where 1,600 companies from 76 countries are expected to participate in the world’s biggest seafood trade event.

The Mindanao delegation, composed of producers and exporters of sardines, fresh, processed and canned tuna and other seafood products, will be participating through the joint efforts of the Department of Agriculture and USAID’s Growth with Equity In Mindanao (GEM) Program, which is implemented under the oversight of MinDA.

These are the Ayala Seafoods Corporation, Bluefin Seafood Export, Incorporated, FAB Sea Resources Corporation, Jess Aquamarine Traders, JARLA Trading, MS Seafood Supplier, Nuevo Fresco, RDEX Food International Phils. Incorporated, Well Delight Network Corporation, and JN Mercado Food Supply.

MinDA chair Secretary Luwalhati Antonino said these companies have been qualified to participate in the exposition based on their product quality, volume capacity, and compliance with internationally-recognized HACCP and EU plant certification standards.

The EU’s food imports in 2009 totaled $ 369 billion, with seafood imports valued at $ 38 billion.

More than 70 percent of its seafood is imported, with Iceland, Norway, China and Vietnam among its major suppliers.

MinDA data showed that in 2009, Mindanao’s total direct exports of seafood products to the EU were valued at $ 153 million. These included canned tuna, sardines, tuna (fresh/chilled and frozen), seaweed/carrageenan, prawn and octopus.

Last year, frozen and prepared/preserved tuna products were among Mindanao ‘s top ten principal exports, valued at $ 93 million and $ 218 million, respectively.

Antonino said the Mindanao traders participation in this world event is not just an opportunity to showcase Mindanao’s best seafood products.

“Our participation in this exposition also sends a strong signal that we have the ability to seize business opportunities in an increasingly global economy,” she said.

The GEM Program is one of the USAID-funded programs covered by the Mindanao Peace and Development Assistance agreement between the governments of the Philippines and the United States.

The Brussels seafood show will be attended by buyers representing supermarkets, wholesale importers, food retailers, agents and distributors, hotel and restaurant suppliers, and food service and catering organizations from all over the world.

As a side event, a market reconnaissance of key retail outlets in Brussels will be conducted in coordination with the Office of the Philippine Trade Representative.

MinDA noted that GEM Program has been assisting Mindanao food companies to expand their access to both domestic and international markets by participating in trade fairs and establishing links with exporters and potential buyers; conducting market information campaigns; and collaborating with government and private sector partners.

Last March, USAID-GEM supported the participation of Mindanao food companies in the 29th International Boston Seafood Show in the U.S.A. , and in Foodex Japan 2011 in Chiba Prefecture.

With this, clearly Mindanao has a lot to offer and not only negative news.