#Philippines Abaca Fiber Market Share

[oaresearchpaper]

Marketing Abaca Fiber: Insights from Caraga Region Farmers

Abstract

The study was conducted to determine the marketing practices and the profitability of establishing Abaca in the Caraga Region. A total of One Thousand Two Hundred Fifty-Six (1256) farmers, Seventy-Seven (77) traders, and three (3) processors were interviewed as the respondents of the study. Their names were obtained from the Philippine Fiber Development Authority (PhilFIDA) and the Municipal Agriculture Office (MAO) of the concerned municipalities of the Region. Data gathering activities included interviews and focus group discussions (FGDs), and stakeholder forums were conducted to validate and gather additional information. The said Focus Group Discussion and Stakeholders’ Forum were attended by the farmers, officers in various cooperatives, traders, representatives from the regional line offices, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), Department of Agriculture (DA), Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) Municipal Agriculture Offices (MAO), Academe, Provincial Agriculture Officer. In the Caraga Region, abaca traders are situated in Agusan del Norte 28 or 36.36%, Agusan del Sur 25 or 32.47%, Surigao del Sur 24 or 31.17% and no traders in the province of Surigao del Norte. The one who sets the price for abaca fiber is the trader/buyer 99.28 % and only 0.71% sets by the farmer. The means of contacting buyers are referrals by the farmers 32.96%; traders will come to the farmers 27.46%, recommended by the Local Government Unit (LGU) 23.88%, and traders who are known by the cooperatives 15.68%. The buyers’ requirements in buying abaca fibers are quality 63.69% and volume 36.30%. Traders engage in buying Abaca for more than 15 years or 38.5%; 1-5 years, 30.12%; 11-15 years, 18.07% and 6-10 years, 13.25%. The means of transporting abaca fiber is through motorcycles 43.37% and hired trucks 56.61%. The estimated monthly volume sold is 1- 5 metric tons or 92.77% and 6 – 10 metric tons. The farmer’s Abaca fibers through Barangay or Municipal Traders, Cooperatives/Consolidators, Baling and Grading Establishment, Processors, and exporters. The issues and concerns for the traders are the following: classification and grading of fiber, cheating abaca bundles where stones inserted to increase weights, abaca fiber not adequately dried, and piles of Abaca are mixed with other fibers. The profitability of abaca farming for 1 hectare /year is the average of P48,000 for a typical farm, while for a good farm is P115,200 – 192,000.

Introduction

The "Manila hemp," known internationally for its world-class fiber, continues to be one of the priority agricultural commodities of the Department of Agriculture (DA). The Philippines supplies more than 87.4 percent of the total abaca fiber market and earns more than $111.33 million in global abaca trade annually (PCA, 2017).

In 2022, as per PhilFIDA data, Caraga ranked third among the top abaca-producing regions in the country with an estimated 10,000 metric tons (MT) of fiber production, next to Bicol Region (1st) and Davao Region (2nd).

Abaca is in great demand in the world market today because of its lucrative value in industries such as making security papers, paper money, ropes, insulators, and other handicrafts. The most important part of the Abaca is the stalk which is the source of the fiber. Abaca fiber is superior to all other natural fibers because of its great strength and its resistance to the action of water. It is three times stronger than cotton, the most potent natural fiber. 

The country’s overall fiber production is estimated at 62,640.63MT, remaining the top abaca-producing country, supplying 85% of the fiber demand in the world.

Pulp, which accounts for 69.2 percent market share of the abaca exports, has reported earnings of $ 79.4 million or an increase of 11.7 percent. Abaca cordage, which grabbed a market share of 10 percent, fell to $ 11.4 million. Fiber crafts exports also fell 67.3% to $3.7 million (The Philippine Star, 2016). The pulp manufacturing industry is the leading end-user of abaca fiber, followed by cordage manufacturing and fiber craft industry. It was reported that due to the increasing use of abaca fiber in specialty paper manufacturing, the demand for fiber among pulp manufacturers is constantly surging, and the trend is expected to prevail in 2014-2019. Among the leading abaca fiber suppliers, Ching Bee Trading Corporation dominates the market in the Philippines, followed by Tag Fibers, Inc. and Selinrail International. 

For the past half-decade, the Abaca industry helped boost the country’s economy from its export earnings with an annual average of P4.7 billion, mainly in the Visayas and Mindanao Islands. Abaca fibers are cultivated across 176,549 hectares of farmlands by over 122,758 farmers. Moreover, in recent years, it has been perceived that aside from the substantial contributions of Abaca to the economy, its utilization can also provide numerous ecological advantages (www.philfida.da.gov.ph, 2019).

With the continuing development of the fiber craft industry in the Philippines, the abaca fiber market has been witnessing a boost due to the growing demand for gifts, toys, and housewares. Moreover, increasing consumer inclination for lifestyle products is further expected to strengthen the growth trend for abaca crafts in the coming years. There are only two significant exporters of abaca fiber in the world – the Philippines and Ecuador, with the Philippines accounting for over 80% of the global production of abaca fiber. In the Philippines, the abaca plant is cultivated across 130 thousand hectares of land by over 90 thousand farmers. 

Asia Pacific was the largest market for abaca fiber in terms of production and consumption over the past few years, and the trend is expected to continue over the forecast period. The Philippines, the world's largest abaca producer, hold a significant market share in Asia Pacific. A considerable portion of produced abaca fiber in the Philippines is internally consumed, while a substantial amount is exported to various countries, including U.S., Japan, and other European countries. The Philippine government supports initiatives to increase high-quality abaca fiber production levels for domestic consumption and export. This is expected to strengthen its market positioning further and open market opportunities for new players over the next seven years (Erie News, 2019).

Thus, this undertaking is critical to fill the data gaps of the recently conducted Value Chain Analysis of the Commodity in the Region. Profiling tells us the actual scenario of how many abaca farmers engaged in this commodity, what support programs they availed in our present administration, what they need, and what other issues and concerns so that our government can also make some intervention programs for our abaca industry.

Major end-user industries of abaca fiber include paper and pulp, fibercraft, and cordage. The paper and pulp industry is the largest end-user industry for abaca fiber, followed by cordage manufacturing and fiber craft industry. Increasing the application scope of abaca fiber in specialty paper manufacturing is likely a critical factor driving demand for abaca fibers in the paper & pulp industry. The rising market for cordage in industrial applications, including the production of ropes for ships, is expected to boost its demand over the next seven years.

Source : Farmers practices in marketing Abaca fiber in Caraga Region

[techsciresearch]

Paper & Pulp Industry to Dominate Philippines Abaca Fiber Market During Forecast Period

Increasing demand from various end user industries to propel Philippines Abaca Fiber market

According to TechSci Research report, “Philippines Abaca Fiber Market By Fiber Size, By Strand, By End User Industry, Competition, Forecast & Opportunities, 2024”, the Philippines abaca fiber market is forecast to grow at around 6% during 2019 - 2024 owing to the properties possessed by the abaca fibers such as resistance against salt water, high tensile strength, lower elongation, among others. Additionally, abaca fibers help in preventing soil erosion and holding water. They are also sustainable and biodegradable, which is further propelling their market demand. However, these fibers cannot be mixed uniformly with polymer composites due to their natural properties, which complicates the composite fabrication process in textile industry, thereby limiting their use in textile industry.

Browse  market data Tables and  Figures spread through  Pages and an in-depth TOC on " Philippines Abaca Fiber Market"

https://www.techsciresearch.com/report/philippines-abaca-fiber-market/4290.html

The Philippines abaca fiber market is segmented based on fiber size, strand yarn, end user industry, company and region. Based on fiber size, the market can be fragmented into up to 3mm, up to 4mm, up to 5mm, up to 6mm & above 6mm. The up to 5mm segment is expected to hold significant market share since it is the most popular type of fiber size used for making ropes. Based on end user industry, the market can be categorized into paper & pulp, fiber craft, cordage, automotive and others. The paper & pulp industry is expected to dominate the market during forecast period. This can be accredited to the widespread use of abaca fibers in tea and coffee bags, sausage casing paper, currency notes (Japan's yen banknotes contain up to 30% abaca), cigarette filter papers, medical/food preparation/disposal papers, high-quality writing paper, vacuum bags, among others.

Ching Bee Trading Corporation, Tag Fibers Inc., MAP Enterprises Inc., Yzen Handicraft Export Trading, Peral Enterprises, Selinrail International Trading, etc., are some of the leading players operating in the Philippines abaca fiber market. Companies operating in the market are using organic strategies such as product launches, mergers and collaborations to boost their share.

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“Philippines abaca fiber market is expected to witness substantial growth during the forecast period since it is the world’s largest producer of abaca fibers. Considerable portion of produced fiber in Philippines is internally consumed while a major portion is exported to various countries including the US, Japan and other European countries. Additionally, the government of Philippines is taking supportive initiatives to increase production levels of high-quality abaca fiber for domestic consumption as well as for exports. This is expected to further strengthen the country’s market positioning in the global abaca fiber market and open diverse market opportunities for new players during the forecast period.” said Mr. Karan Chechi, Research Director with TechSci Research, a research based global management consulting firm.

“Philippines Abaca Fiber Market By Fiber Size, By Strand, By End User Industry, Competition, Forecast & Opportunities, 2024” has evaluated the future growth potential of Philippines abaca fiber market and provides statistics & information on market size, structure and future market growth. The report intends to provide cutting-edge market intelligence and help decision makers take sound investment decisions. Besides, the report also identifies and analyzes the emerging trends along with essential drivers, challenges and opportunities in Philippines abaca fiber market.

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[phgq]

DAR-10  steps up support to farmers amid COVID-19

#PHinfo: DAR-10  steps up support to farmers amid COVID-19

MISAMIS ORIENTAL, Oct. 25 (PIA) – The Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) - 10 has strengthened its Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program (CARP) support to the farmers in Northern Mindanao amid the societal and economic disruption caused by the coronavirus (COVID) -19 pandemic.

“Padayon gihapon ang atong distribution sa CLOA because we still have balance sa atong distribution. Although naay atong gi-atubang nga pandemic, still our CLOAs (Certificates of Land Ownership Award) registered in the registry of deeds that were planned to be released this year are distributed unhindered to our farmer-beneficiaries,” Noel Supremo, DAR- Misamis Oriental Land Tenure Division chief shared.

(Our distribution of CLOA is still ongoing because we still have a balance in our distribution. Although we’re currently facing a pandemic, our CLOAs registered with the Registry of Deeds - that were planned to be released this year- are distributed unhindered to our farmer-beneficiaries.)

In response to the pandemic, DAR adopts “Serbisyong DAR-to-Door program,” in which the distribution of CLOAs to the beneficiaries in Misamis Oriental is done door-to-door avoid mass gathering to limit the spreadof the virus. They have distributed land titles to 75 farmers in this time of pandemic.

Other than “Serbisyong DAR-to-Door program,” they also launched Project PASSover: ARBold Move for Deliverance of ARBs from COVID-19 pandemic under the “Bayanihan to Heal as One” Act or Republic  Act No. 11469 as a support mechanism for farmers in the region affected by the health crisis.

“Our Project PASSover: ARBold Move for Deliverance of ARBs is the DAR equivalent of the social amelioration program from the other agencies, we saw that the Cagayan sector was badly hit by the pandemic, so we thought of ways on how we can help our farmers and their organizations,” DAR-10 ARPO Nestoria Shirley Arquiza said.

Through DAR-10’s Project PASSover: ARBold Move for Deliverance, they realigned their budget to give the needed assistance and support for the farmers in the region such as providing support in marketing, supply chain linkage, productivity assistance, and distribution of starter kits for vegetable farming.

Lastly, DAR-10 also launched "Project ConVERGE" for its MISORET ARC CLUSTER with Abaca Fiber Production and Marketing to further support the farmer-beneficiaries in this time of pandemic. (VPSBautista/PIA10)  

    ***

References:

* Philippine Information Agency. "DAR-10  steps up support to farmers amid COVID-19." Philippine Information Agency. https://pia.gov.ph/news/articles/1056748 (accessed October 26, 2020 at 02:33AM UTC+08).

* Philippine Infornation Agency. "DAR-10  steps up support to farmers amid COVID-19." Archive Today. https://archive.ph/?run=1&url=https://pia.gov.ph/news/articles/1056748 (archived).

[mhflores]

Indigenous Filipino Fabrics Are Making a ComebackKnow our traditional woven fabrics, so you don't accidentally wear a sacred death blanket.

By

ANGELICA GUTIERREZ

  |   Oct 17, 2017

IMAGE Odyssea: Nature, Culture, People (facebook.com/YSEALIodyssea)59.7KShares

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Filipino textiles are experiencing something of a resurgence. As of late, entrepreneurs and designers have been incorporating them in everything from bags and laptop cases to shirts, skirts, and even gowns. It isn’t hard to see the appeal of ethnic fabrics—all you have to do is look at this photo album by Odyssea, an organization that aims to preserve culture and the environment, to appreciate Mindanao ethnic groups’ intricate and colorful weaving designs.

The album places different tribes’ traditional weaving patterns side by side to showcase unity in diversity. Even though each group has its own distinct style, there are striking similarities as well, and each design is testament to these groups’ rich colorful heritage.

IMAGE Odyssea: Nature, Culture, People

For example, as explained by Vela Manila (a local accessory brand that aims to promote Filipino heritage), the Yakan tribe’s designs are inspired by the natural landscape surrounding Lamitan, Basilan. Their fabrics are characterized by geometric patterns and vivid hues, and are made from “pineapple and abaca fibers dyed with herbal extracts.” The entire process is so labor-intensive that it can take a week to weave just one meter of fabric.

IMAGE Odyssea: Nature, Culture, People

The T’boli of Lake Sebu, South Cotabato make their fabrics from abaca as well. They believe that their designs and patterns have been passed down to them by their ancestors through dreams. They’re well known for their t’nalak cloth, which, according to Senator Loren Legarda, is “used during significant occasions like birth, marriage, and death; the hilets, or belts with brass small bells, are believed to drive away bad spirits; while the embroidery they use to accentuate their traditional blouses narrate the story of their relationship with nature and the spirits.”

IMAGE Odyssea: Nature, Culture, People

While most Manileños are probably familiar with the malongs of Maguindanao, few are likely to have encountered the silk malongs used by Maguindanaons during special events like babies’ hair cutting ceremonies, weddings, and circumcision rituals. As Lourdes Veloso Mastura explains in her article Textiles of Maguindanao:

“the [circumcised] boy of 12 is king for a day. Dressed in a silk malong, he is paraded around the village early in the day. When he arrives home he sits on a silk malong or has a silk malong stretched like a curtain against the wall where he is lying.”

IMAGE Odyssea: Nature, Culture, People

Apart from material, the color of textiles can hold significance as well. For the Maranao, yellow is associated with royalty and high status. As Abdullah T. Madale writes in Textiles in the Maranao Torogan, “A man who wears a yellow shirt and cap is called bananing i ulo ("yellow headed"). In the past a commoner who wore yellow could be ostracized or even beheaded.” Madale goes on to explain that Maranaos who want to “appear at once humble and accomplished” would wear green, which stands for “peace, tranquility and stability.” Red stands for “bravery and violence,” white for mourning, and black for “quiet dignity and purity.”

IMAGE Odyssea: Nature, Culture, People

With all the hidden meaning that a woven piece of cloth could hold, cultural appropriation has become something of a concern. The last thing you want is to find out that the bolt of fabric you’ve been using as a cool bed cover is actually an Ifugao death blanket. Not only is it creepy, it’s pretty disrespectful to the Ifugao, who consider them sacred but may have to sell whatever they can to make a living. Apart from doing your own research, another way to avoid this kind of mishap is to patronize brands who understand which patterns are and aren’t sacred and who buy textiles from indigenous groups at fair prices.

Thankfully, HABI: The Philippine Textile Council has done all that work for us with their Likhang Habi Market Fair, where you can buy some unique handcrafted items and watch demonstrations from master weavers like Myrna Puli of the T’boli. This year’s fair will take place from October 20 to 22 at the Glorietta Activity Center in Makati. It’s a great opportunity to support our local ethnic groups, learn about our national cultural heritage, and get some Christmas shopping out of the way.

IMAGE Habi the Philippine Textile Council Facebook Page

References:

Mastura, Lourdes Veloso. (2013) “Textiles of Maguindanao”. In Guatlo, Rene. Habi: A Journey Through Philippines Handwoven Textiles. Philippine Textile Council.

Madale, Abdulla T. (1998). “Textiles in the Maranao Torogan”. In Hamilton, Roy. From the Rainbow’s Varied Hue: Textiles of the Southern Philippines. UCLA.

https://www.esquiremag.ph/culture/design/philippine-indigenous-fabrics-are-making-a-comeback-a00225-20171017-lfrm

[sagarj-things-blog]

Abaca Fiber Market Volume Analysis, Segments, Value Share and Key Trends 2016 - 2024

Global Abaca Fiber Market: Overview

Abaca, also called as manila hemp, is extracted from the leaf sheath around the trunk of Musa textilis, a type of banana plant that is mostly found in the Philippines and humid tropics. Harvesting and cultivating abaca is a labor-intensive process as the pulp is removed by cutting strips and scraping stalks. Fibers obtained from the process are then dried and removed. Abaca fiber has high strength and is used in the paper industry for making mimeograph mats and teabags. It is also used to make handicraft such as carpets, furniture, clothing, and bags. Abaca fiber is used in fishing nets, hawsers, and shipping lines due to beneficial properties such as flexibility, durability, and saltwater resistance. It is classified as a hard fiber along with sisal, coir, and henequin. In addition, abaca fiber is used in gifts, toys, and housewares. Furthermore, it is used as an alternative to glass fiber reinforced plastics components. Various local textile manufacturers use 30% to 50% of abaca in the production of maong (denim).

Browse Market Research Report: http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/abaca-fiber-market.html

Global Abaca Fiber Market: Drivers and Restraints

Abaca is used in end-user industries such as fiber craft, paper & pulp, and cordage. In terms of consumption, pulp & paper was the largest end-user of abaca fiber followed by cordage and fiber craft industries in 2014. Wide application range of abaca fiber in the production of specialty paper is anticipated to be one of the key factors driving demand for abaca fibers in the paper & pulp industry. Increasing demand for cordage in the production of ropes used in ships and other industrial applications is expected to boost demand for abaca fiber during the forecast period. The automotive industry also uses natural rubber as filling material in hat racks, bolster, damping, interior trim parts, and parcel trays. Therefore, rising demand for natural fiber in the automotive industry and increasing automobile sales in developing nations such as China, India, and Brazil are anticipated to fuel the abaca fiber market during the forecast period. Combining abaca with silk has resulted in the production of an acceptable textile for wearing purposes.

Global Abaca Fiber Market: Geographical and Competitive Dynamics

Asia Pacific was the fastest-growing and largest market for abaca fibers in 2014. More than three-fourth of the total abaca is produced in the Philippines. Initiatives are taken by the Philippine Rural Development Program (PRDP) to increase usage of abaca fibers and gain economic benefits for the nation. Additionally, abaca is rapidly replacing non-biodegradable polymers. More than half of the total abaca produced is exported from Philippines and Bangladesh to Europe, North America, China and Japan. The abaca plant is vulnerable to a number of pathogens. Hence, supply of abaca fibers fluctuates, thus acting as restraint for growth of the abaca fiber market.

Get accurate market forecast and analysis on the Abaca Fiber market. Request a sample to stay abreast on the key trends impacting this market @ http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=B&rep_id=16022

Growth in the furniture industry is expected to drive the abaca fiber market in Asia Pacific during the forecast period. However, increasing environmental restrictions regarding the usage of non-biodegradable polymeric fibers is likely to act as an opportunity for the abaca fibers market during the forecast period. Research and development is being carried out to improve physical properties of abaca fibers. Abaca is mostly used in making teabags and cordage in Europe. Negligible amount of abaca fiber is used in Latin America and Middle East & Africa due to average demand from the end user industry.

Key players in the abaca fiber market include Tag Fibers, Inc., Ching Bee Trading Corporation, MAP Enterprises, Selinrail International Trading, The Fiber World, Italfil Expo Bags Company Limited and Yzen Handicraft Export Trading.

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[phgq]

Agusan Norte agri-coops cash in amid pandemic

#PHnews: Agusan Norte agri-coops cash in amid pandemic

BUTUAN CITY – Business remains profitable among the agricultural cooperatives assisted by the Department of Agrarian Reform in the Caraga Region (DAR-Caraga) despite the ongoing travel restrictions to address the 2019 coronavirus disease (Covid-19) crisis. Andre Atega, DAR provincial agrarian reform program officer for Agusan del Norte, said cooperatives involved in rice, vegetable and abaca production in the province have recorded millions of pesos in gross sales despite the reported delays in various Covid-19 checkpoints around the region. “Nothing deters our cooperatives and the Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries (ARBs) in Agusan del Norte to continue marketing their products to markets,” Atega told the Philippine News Agency on Monday. DAR-assisted cooperatives--grouped under the agency's Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries Organizations (ARBOs)--have successfully delivered their agricultural products to markets not only in the region but also in the Visayas area, Atega said. He underscored the role of the province's agri-coops in ensuring the steady supply of food in markets, especially amid the enhanced community quarantine (ECQs) in most parts of the region that severely restricted the movement of people and goods. Artega attributed the unhampered flow of agricultural products from the province's coops to the assistance provided by the agency, especially in terms of facilitating the quick inspection of deliveries at the quarantine checkpoints. For instance, data provided by DAR-ADN said that from March 30 to April 6, 2020, the Avanceña Beneficiaries Farmers Multi-Purpose Cooperative (ABFMC) in Cabadbaran City recorded the highest gross sales during the period through the delivery of milled rice to the markets. Records showed that ABFMC managed to deliver 1,600 sacks of rice during the period that made the group earn over PHP3 million. The cooperative also sold 1,640 kilos of assorted vegetables during the period with a total gross sale of PHP110,275. “We regularly monitor the deliveries of our cooperatives especially now that quarantines are implemented to make sure that their products reach the markets,” said Ellen Torralba, head of the Program Beneficiaries Development Division (PBDD) at DAR-ADN. Torralba said that three more enterprising ARBOs in the area also recorded profits: the Doña Rosario CLOA (Certificate of Land Ownership Award) Holders and Vegetable Producers Association (DRCHVPA) in Tubay, Agusan del Norte; the Kilometer 7 Producers Cooperative (KM. 7PC) in Butuan City; and the De Oro Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries Cooperative (DARBECO), also in Butuan City. Another ARBO in Agusan del Norte, the San Isidro Upland Farmers Multi-Purpose Cooperative (SIUFMULCO) in the town of San Isidro successfully delivered their abaca products to a market center in Baybay, Leyte from March 17- 31 this year. Annelyn Chan, project management officer of the Project Converge in DAR-ADN, said tSIUFMULCO delivered during the period a total of 84.32 metric tons of abaca fibers to Leyte that made them earn a total gross sale of PHP5.1 million. The deliveries, Chan said, was covered by certifications from the Department of Agriculture (DA), the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), and the Philippine Fiber Development Authority (PHILFIDA). Atega noted that the delivery of abaca fiber was crucial to the manufacturing of face masks and other protective equipment in the Covid-19. DAR-Caraga Director Leomides Villareal on Monday lauded the efforts of the cooperatives in Agusan del Norte, even as he cited their role in ensuring the steady supply of food supplies in the market as residents grapple with the adverse effects of the pandemic. “Our ARBs through their respective ARBOs are making their share in the unified efforts to fight the spread of Covid-19 in the region,” Villareal said. (PNA)

***

References:

* Philippine News Agency. "Agusan Norte agri-coops cash in amid pandemic." Philippine News Agency. https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1099665 (accessed April 14, 2020 at 04:48AM UTC+14).

* Philippine News Agency. "Agusan Norte agri-coops cash in amid pandemic." Archive Today. https://archive.ph/?run=1&url=https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1099665 (archived).

[phgq]

Aklan abaca farmers urged to produce first class fibers

#PHinfo: Aklan abaca farmers urged to produce first class fibers

KALIBO, Aklan, Nov. 18 (PIA6) --  The Philippine Fiber Industry Development Authority (PhilFIDA) called on Aklan abaca farmers to produce high-grade abaca fibers as these have a high market demand now and could command a good price.

This call was issued by PhilFIDA Executive  Director Kennedy Costales during the Abaca Industry Economic Operators’ Forum held recently at the Aklan Tourism and Training Center in Old Buswang, Kalibo town, which was attended by farmers of Aklan’s abaca—producing towns.

Some abaca farmers from Jamindan, Capiz also attended the activity.

Costales revealed that Aklan ranks 9th among the country’s top abaca-producing provinces per the PhilFIDA’s record from January to November 2018, contributing 3.52 percent.

Abaca-producing towns in Aklan include Libacao, Madalag, Balete, Ibajay, Malinao, Makato, Banga and Altavas, with Libacao having the highest production.

The call of Costales for Aklan farmers to produce high grade or first class abaca fibers is a result of the observance of the PhilFIDA here and even of abaca traders that fibers produced in Aklan presently are low grade.

The PhilFIDA said the production of low grade abaca here prevails due to inferior blades used by farmers when extracting fiber, and the presence of traders/buyers who patronize the products and buy “all-in” or all types of abaca fibers.

He urged the farmers to shift to the production of first class abaca fibers because time will come when there will be no longer buyers of low-grade abaca.

The production of low grade abaca fibers is among the current woes, issues and concerns prevailing in the industry of abaca, which might affect its status as the top global abaca trader, supplying about 87.4 percent of the world’s abaca fiber requirements.

Costales shared that the Philippine abaca fiber industry is now a P7-billion industry which helped boost  the country’s economy from its 97 percent export earnings.

At the forum, he also talked on “Abaca Tuxy Buying Special Project,” Market Trends, Opportunities/Threats of the Abaca Industry to encourage farmers to earn better from abaca and at the same time to produce high-quality fibers.

The project, according to him, aims to improve the take home pay of abaca famers by two-fold to almost three-fold net of government obligations by organizing themselves into a cooperative of about 100 to 350 members or more. (JBG/VGV/PIA6 Aklan)

***

References:

* Philippine Information Agency. "Aklan abaca farmers urged to produce first class fibers." Philippine Information Agency. https://pia.gov.ph/news/articles/1030226 (accessed November 18, 2019 at 02:06PM UTC+08).

* Philippine Infornation Agency. "Aklan abaca farmers urged to produce first class fibers." Archive Today. https://archive.ph/?run=1&url=https://pia.gov.ph/news/articles/1030226 (archived).