MANILA, Philippines – The new coronavirus pandemic has opened an opportunity for the abaca industry, but has also slowed its growth, with restrictions preventing farmers from generating and harvesting the product.
Data provided through the Philippine Fiber Industry Development Authority (Philfida) showed that between January and June of this year, abaca production decreased by 25% despite the growing demand for its fiber, which is used to manufacture masks and non-public protective equipment. .
Costales added that lately the country has a deficit in the abaca source of 125,000 metric tons (TM), which is for the production of 60,000 hectares of agricultural land, while the Philippines has only 142,000 hectares of land dedicated to hemp cultivation, with an average yield of fiber. 0. 54 TM hectare.
The abaca deficit has raised its prices. Export revenues are consistent with a year higher to 14 consistent with cents of $47. 49 million to $53. 94 million, with the abaca pulp accounting for 34 percent of total revenue. There were enough support systems to expand the production and transformation of advertising culture.
In Catanduanes, Bicol, where 35% of the country’s total abaca production comes from, the product is still grown in the wild. No advertising production is supported by the government despite the abaca’s perspective.
However, Costales believes that the industry is slowly recovering, or at least continues to meet external demand, albeit with resources.
In the future, Agriculture Secretary William Dar said that reporting crops such as abaca would evolve as the country entered the “new landscape” of agriculture, where commodities will need to be more resilient to the crisis and manufacturers will receive training for manufacturers and investors. entrepreneurs.
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