An official of the Canned Sardines Association of the Philippines warned Thursday that prices of canned mackerel may increase following the directive of the Department of Agriculture to suspend the issuance of import clearances for galunggong or round scad, mackerel, and bonito.
14, series of 2024, suspending the issuance of sanitary and phytosanitary import clearances of galunggong, mackerel, and bonito after receiving reports that these fish imported for canning, processing, or institutional buyers are being diverted to wet markets.At least 90,000 to 100,000 metric tons of the three fish products are diverted to wet markets every year, Tiu Laurel had said.However, the Agriculture chief allayed Buencamino's fears regarding the supply of mackerel.