“Right now, we’re still importing it and the biggest importers include high end restaurants in Mindanao,” he said. In fact, the three chefs were viewing it because they’ve been doing its recipe for quite a time but they’ve seen the fish only for the first time.
Lazo said that the Philippines has been importing Mekong catfish since late 2005.
Scientifically known as pangasius hypopthalmus or pangasius pangasidae, Mekong catfish is an air-breathing fish that can survive even in poor quality water. Among its market names abroad are “white roughly”, “Royal Basa”, “Mekong catfish”, and pangasius catfish”, while its local names include Mekong kanduli, and pangasius. Its pet name include, “iridescent shark”, “hammer head”, and “siamese shark”. It is also known as pa suay kheo in Laos.
Dorecita Delima, assistant regional director of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), urged local fish exporters, especially those in General Santos and Sarangani, to maximize their farm area to raise this kind of fish.
Although the fish is only found in the great Mekong River, growers believe it can easily adapt to local conditions in Mindanao.
Delima said that the deteriorating quality of Vietnam may enable the Philippines to enter into the market, if local producers can figure out ways to cut down production cost. She said the cost of feed make up 70 per cent of its production cost but local growers are looking for cheap raw material substitutes that might bring down cost.
According to Lazo, there is a big potential for the local product to beat Vietnam exports. “Other Asian suppliers have spotty track records and poor image in the US,” Lazo said in his presentation, “Pangasius, the Love Fish”. Vitarich has been running a hatchery in Pampanga, and contracting the fish to fish growers in Luzon. Lazo said that Vitarich supplies pangasius fish fillet and other processed fish products to high-end restaurants in the country. He said the imported fish is already beginning to appear in some wet markets in the country.
Delima said that some fish growers have already began switching to it. “Some growers think of our own hito, and feel they can raise it here in Mindanao,” she said.
“It’s a fast growing fish that can be harvested in only six months and can easily be grown even in murky waters,” said Delima. Davao Today / Posted byBulatlat.com
