Problems of Export-Oriented Yellowfin Tuna Industry -Indonesia and the Philippines
By Haruko YamashitaABSTRACT
One third of the total catch occurs in South West Pacific region. Although major harvesting countries and regions are Indonesia, Taiwan, Japan and the Philippines, Tuna resource exists in and around Indonesian and Filipino Sea.
Since Tuna is not common food for them, they are caught and processed for purely exporting purpose. Taiwanese and related overseas Chinese take initiative in the catch-trade mechanism and manage to handle different quality products to different destinations according to consumer demands. For example, Sashimi grade Yellowfin bounded to Japan commands the highest price but calls for good quality, freshness and careful handling. Canned Tuna to Europe does not question quality of meat but requires sanitary processing in accordance with HACCP requirement and concerns with pricing. Canned tuna to North America is in between.
Tuna processing industry in harvesting area contributes to local economy in terms of employment. The sustainability of the industry as well as Tuna resource, however, should be carefully examined, for local producers do not persist in the supply of local products.
KEYWORDS: Export-oriented, Yellowfin Tuna, Indonesia, Philippines, Sashimi-Grade, Tuna can, resource, industry, pricing, consumer demand, quality, consumption
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