Philippines: Pangasius was recently introduced at the Taytay Public Market in Rizal, Philippines. Rizal's Provincial Director of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), Mercedes Parreño, aims to introduce Vietnamese catfish into Philippines' wet markets.
DTI Calabarzon, Regional Director Marilou Quinco-Toledo, recently gave a speech in which she noted her optimism for the industry.
"We want pangasius to be available in the markets so that people will have the chance to get interested for its nutritional value and culinary significance and that the public will eventually consume the fish regularly, just like with bangus and tilapia", she explained.
Pangasius (panga or catfish) is already offered widely at fashionable Chinese eateries, fast food chains and in restaurants in the Philippines.
"The fish is excellent as 'sinigang sa miso', in sweet and sour sauce, sashimi and of course, fish sandwiches and chips", Parreño pointed out.
Tra grows quickly, it successfully resists diseases and it has versatile feeding habits. The result is a fish with good meat that is comparable with that of wild aquatic species.
Toledo said the Philippines benefits from plentiful resources that allow for raising pangasius using minimal space, meaning that the fish can be commercially farmed more economically.
Currently, domestic demand for the fish originates from fast food chains, hospitals and other healthcare institutions, retreat houses, expensive restaurants, seafood distributors and food processors in cities such as Metro Manila.
Vietnam is one of a few countries that exports tra fillets to Europe, Russia, the US, China and other regions.
"We should be proud of pangasius as this is one of Rizal's products," said Rizal Vice Governor Frisco San Juan, Jr.
Rizal's pangasius development scheme is a collaboration between the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources' (BFAR) NIFTC, the Rizal Chamber of Commerce and Industry (RCCI), the Provincial Government of Rizal and the DTI.
Natalia Real (Fishing Information and Services)