Philippines Pekin duck producer unlocks Dubai

04-Jan-2016 - Last updated on 04-Jan-2016 at 15:23 GMT

The Pekin duck producer is also eyeing up Iran and Kazakhstan

The only Pekin duck producer in the Philippines has secured halal accreditation, opening up a number of markets in the Middle East.

Duck producer Maharlika Agro-Marine Ventures Corp secured halal accreditation from the Dubai Ministry of Environment and Water in December 2015 and now has the challenge of conquering the Middle East as its new export market.

Vincent Lao, owner of Maharlika Agro-Marine Ventures Corp and president of the Mindanao Business Council, hailed the achievement as “a milestone for Mindanao’s poultry industry”.

Winning the halal certificate means doors are now open to a number of lucrative export markets for the Philippine duck producer, including Dubai, Saudi Arabia, Yemen, Qatar and Oman.

'Have to expand'

But Lao believes the company faces a huge challenge in first acquiring, then establishing, a market and customer base in the Middle East for their duck products. “We still have to look for a customer and a market… but definitely in 2016, we should be able to export to the Middle East,” he said.

The company plans to export to the Middle East as soon as possible and Lao says the company will “have to expand” to meet demand. “We are planning to expand our production areas in Buda, Davao and Bukidnon,” he added.

The opening of trade to the Middle East follows the company’s penetration of the Japanese market in 2014 and Lao said the company was also eyeing up opportunities in Iran and Kazakhstan.

Maharlika Agro-Marine Ventures Corp produces around 576 metric tons in volume of produce annually, processing between 3,000 and 4,000 ducks per day.