PH Concludes Successful Participation in 2018 Seafood EXPO North America

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Thousands of seafood buyers in every market category, including retail, restaurant, catering, foodservice and processing, and over a thousand exhibitor suppliers from all over the world were brought together by this year’s Seafood Expo North America (SENA 2018) held at the Boston Convention and Exhibition Center on 11-13 March 2018.

Seven (7) Philippine seafood companies, with the support of the Philippine Government, participated in this year’s SENA 2018 — the largest seafood exposition in North America. These companies are Fisher Farms, Inc.; Phil-Union Frozen Foods, Inc.; Bluefin Seafood Export, Inc.; Nuevo Fresco Marine Trading Corporation; Jam Seafoods, Inc.; Well Delight Network Corporation; and Mommy Gina Tuna Resources Inc./Citra Mina Canning Corp.

The Philippine Department of Agriculture’s Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) hosted a Seafood Philippine Pavilion where more than a hundred inquiries were received over the 3-day show for a variety of seafood products, including for products not showcased by participating exporters.

Fisherfarms Inc., working on mainstreaming its milkfish (bangus) products in the US market, impressed the show attendees with cooked samples of a variety of milkfish products including sausages, smoked belly, and curried loins.

Bluefin Seafood Export Inc. also showcased their main product lines of octopus, squid, sushi products, and cooked octopus.

Philippine tuna exporters Well Delight Network Corporation, Nuevo Fresco Marine Trading Corporation, and Jam Seafoods noted the increased demand for their tuna including for use in “poke bowls”, which are gaining much popularity in the US. Poke means “to slice or cut” in Hawaiian and refers to chunks of raw, marinated fish — usually tuna — which is then tossed over rice and topped with vegetables and sauces.

In addition, Mommy Gina Tuna Resources Inc. and Citra Mina Canning Corporation also reported meeting prospective partners who are interested in tuna farming in the Philippines.

“Participating exporters appreciated the Philippine Government’s support for their participation in the show including the Embassy’s and Consulates’ assistance in raising awareness for their products in the US and efforts to link them up with prospective buyers and business partners,” said Dr. Josyline Javelosa, Philippine Agriculture Attaché to the Americas.

“It was impressive to visit the Philippine Pavilion to meet our seafood exporters and to see and taste their quality products in the largest seafood trade show in North America. I wish our seafood industry the best as it continues to keep the US. as its top destination for its exports,” Philippine Ambassador to the United States Jose Manuel G. Romualdez said.

Ambassador Romualdez was in Massachusetts for official meetings and to support the Philippine delegation to SENA 2018.

During his official trip, the Ambassador also met with the Filipino- American community in the New England Area in West Roxbury, Massachusetts, the academic community and Filipino-American students in Harvard University, the top officials of the Massachusetts Office of International Trade and Investment (MOITI), and Democratic Congressman Joseph Kennedy III. ###

The Philippine Delegation to the 2018 Seafood Expo North America (SENA 2018) with Philippine Ambassador to the United States Jose Manuel G. Romualdez (seated, 2nd from right), Consul General Ma. Theresa Dizon-De Vega (seated, 3rd from left), and Agriculture Attaché to the Americas Dr. Josyline Javelosa (seated, rightmost).

Ambassador Jose Manuel G. Romualdez visits the booth of Fisherfarms Inc.
during the 2018 Seafood Expo North America held at the Boston Convention
and Exhibition Center.

Dr. Josyline Javelosa (right) speaks with a representative of Phil-Union Frozen
Foods, Inc. (PUFFI) at SENA 2018.