Wednesday, August 08, 2007 Export demand for abaca up By Joy Romares-Sevilla
THE regional office of the Fiber Industry Development Authority (Fida) has reported the buying prices of abaca have increased, following huge demand for abaca fibers in the world market.
Fida said the highest grade of abaca fiber is now pegged at P46 per kilo from the P44 per kilo a few months ago.
The increase in prices of the abaca fibers reportedly took effect in July this year.
Fida reported that the United Kingdom and Japan have the highest volume of abaca fiber imports. Other markets identified for abaca fiber exports are the United States, China, North America, and Indonesia, and other parts of Europe like Germany and France.
Fida noted that Southern Mindanao remained to be the top three abaca-producing region of the country, next to Bicol and Leyte, respectively.
On the other hand, the local markets for the major varieties of abaca fibers produced from Davao Region are Lanao del Norte, provinces in Manila, and some areas in the Visayas.
Fida continues to provide market development services and market institutional linkages to people who are engaged in abaca farming in the region.
From January to June this year, Fida facilitated 19 market linkages in the region. The total market linkages facilitated surpassed Fida's target of only eight for the whole year of 2007.
