FAMA STARTS EXPORTING LOCAL HALAL PRODUCTS TO PHILIPPINES

KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 4 (Bernama) -- Malaysia continues to strengthen its position as an exporter of halal products in the ASEAN region through the shipment of the first phase of two containers of agro-food products worth RM338,408 to the Philippines today, with total exports expected to reach RM4.15 million by next year.

Federal Agricultural Marketing Authority (FAMA) chairman Aminuddin Zulkipli said the trade cooperation and expansion of the halal market to the Philippines marked a new record, thus making the republic the country's fourth largest halal market, after China, India and Indonesia.

"The shipment is part of the Philippine Market Exploration Programme involving 20 containers to Manila and Marawi in phases, comprising eight stock keeping units (SKUs) of Agromas products including coffee, instant noodles, margarine and fresh chicken," he said at the Agro-food Products Release Ceremony to the Philippine Market at FAMA headquarters in Bandar Baru Selayang, here today.

Also present were FAMA director-general Abdul Rashid Bahri and FAMA Corporation Sdn Bhd (FAMACO) chief executive officer Shahrulnizam Ahmad, Luzon Regional director and board member of the Philippine Coconut Authority Flor L. Olivar and Golden Merchantile International Trading Corporation president Camilo Cadiz.

Aminuddin said Malaysia has the strength as a producer of halal products while the Philippines, which is increasingly emphasising halal certification and food quality, offers greater market opportunities for national products.

The ceremony also witnessed the signing of several Memorandums of Understanding (MoU) between FAMACO and five local companies in the ruminant industry covering food supply chain cooperation, Malaysia-Philippines fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) distribution, cooking oil supply, ruminant industry expansion and smart logistics platform development.

The companies are Sun Nee Farmas Sdn Bhd, 3 Bumi Oleo Sdn Bhd, KPKV Malaysia, Toong Hing Chang Trading Sdn Bhd and Asolute Sdn Bhd.

Meanwhile, at a media conference, Shahrulnizam said the participation of Malaysian companies in the programme proved the ability of local industries to penetrate new markets in a more organised manner.

“The Philippines has given a clear signal that they want Malaysian food products. The demand is so high and this opportunity needs to be exploited by local entrepreneurs...we want more entrepreneurs to join this effort.

“The market route has been opened, and now is the time for Malaysian products to gain a strong foothold in the Philippines,” he said.

The halal market in the Philippines is growing rapidly with a trade value estimated to reach USD54.3 billion (around RM253.3 billion) in 2024 and is expected to increase to USD116.9 billion (RM481.3 billion) by 2033.

For the record, Malaysia’s agrifood export performance to the Philippines has shown a consistent increase of RM1.96 billion in 2022, RM2.05 billion (2023) and RM2.37 billion (2024), while for the period January to August this year, total exports have reached RM1.58 billion.

-- BERNAMA