The country’s sardine exports stand to benefit significantly following the inclusion of Sardinella lemuru, or tamban, in the international Codex Alimentarius, a move set to open up lucrative European markets. The Department of Agriculture (DA) has expressed optimism that this breakthrough will not only boost local production but also help strengthen the economy through increased export earnings.
DA Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. hailed the decision made at the 47th Session of the Codex Alimentarius Commission (CAC), calling it “welcome news” for the fishery industry. He said the inclusion would stimulate both new investments and job creation within the sector, which is already a major export contributor to the country’s economy.
Tamban, a sardine species found in the Eastern Indian Ocean and Western Pacific, has long faced challenges entering European markets due to its previous exclusion from the European Union’s (EU) codex standards. As a result, the Philippines experienced significant export losses, particularly between 2016 and 2017, when several EU countries rejected canned sardines made from tamban. The inclusion in the codex, after six years of rigorous advocacy and technical assessments, marks a turning point for the local industry.
The inclusion of tamban in the codex is expected to expand the Philippines’ sardine exports to key European countries, including Germany, the Netherlands, and Spain, which together account for 12% of total sardine exports. This opportunity also contributes to the country’s broader push toward global sustainability goals, as the sardine species is recognized for both its comparable sensory qualities and its sustainably managed fish stocks.
In 2022, sardines ranked as the Philippines’ seventh-largest fish export, contributing to 2.7% of total fish exports. Data from the Philippine Statistics Authority show a significant increase in the volume and value of sardine exports in recent years, with 2024 projections pointing to continued growth.
With the codex inclusion, Philippine sardine producers are expected to see a surge in demand from the EU, which not only ensures a broader market for Filipino products but also secures a more sustainable future for the local fishing industry.
