Written by Business Mirror
MANILA – The Philippines is exporting 45 metric tons (MT) of premium or aromatic, long-grain white rice to Singapore next week.
Agriculture Secretary Proceso J. Alcala said in a statement that the rice was sourced from farmer-members of Fitmus Cooperative in Koronadal City, South Cotabato, and Magtutumana ng Sta. Rosa Multi-Purpose Cooperative in Nueva Ecija.
The rice will be shipped on July 22 to Singapore, where there are more than 146,600 overseas Filipino workers (OFWs). This is the second time that the Philippines will export specialty rice.
“We want to show the world that we are capable of producing quality, world-class premium and organic rice,” Agriculture Assistant Secretary and National Rice Program Coordinator Dante Delima said in a statement.
Delima said another 20 MT of heirloom rice from the Cordillera region will be exported to the United States in succeeding months. This is part of the 100 MT of premium and organic-colored rice varieties that the government is targeting to export this year.
The Department of Agriculture chief expressed his gratitude to the South Cotabato and Nueva Ecija farmers and the Vegetable Importers, Exporters and Vendors Association Philippines Inc. (Vieva). The group processed and packed the rice, labeled as Golden Vieva and consolidated the export shipment.
In May 2013 the Philippines exported rice initially to Dubai. The shipment, totaling 35 MT, was composed of 15 MT of black rice produced by farmer-members of Don Bosco Farmers’ Cooperative in M’lang, North Cotabato, and 20 MT of SL Agritech Jasponica aromatic rice produced by farmers from Talavera, Nueva Ecija.
Vieva, which also consolidated the Dubai rice-export shipment, said they process and pack all rice-products hygienically to preserve their rich aroma and eating quality.
By Cai U. Ordinario, July 15, 2013
