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RD supplies unbranded canned tuna to big markets like Japan, the US and Europe. (Photo: RD Group/FIS)
Tuna exporting giant invests USD 45 mln to expand business
PHILIPPINES
Tuesday, December 22, 2009, 03:00 (GMT + 9)
The country’s main tuna exporter will invest USD 45 million in 2010 to expand its operations in General Santos City in Mindanao, Papua New Guinea and Indonesia.
Chairman of the RD Group Rodrigo Rivera Sr said the firm is spending USD 15 million to modernise its semi-processed and canned tuna manufacturing plant in General Santos. Production will swell from 140 tonnes to 200 tonnes per day.
The group already runs six canneries in General Santos, and its plants in Indonesia and Papua New Guinea produce 80 tonnes and 200 tonnes, respectively, Philippine Star reports.
The project expansion will start in the first quarter of 2010 and will require hiring up to 1,500 more workers, he said.
RD supplies unbranded canned tuna to big markets like Japan, the US and Europe. It now employs about 11,000 workers, 90 per cent of whom are women, in the Philippines.
The firm is also investing USD 13 million to enlarge its facility in Papua New Guinea and USD 17 million for a new tuna production plant in Indonesia.
RD is responsible for about a third of the country’s total tuna exports, shipping 14 containers per day on average, each valued at USD 42,000. It exports 380 tonnes of canned tuna and scraps of fish every year.
The firm consists of the fishing companies RD Fishing Industry Inc, RD Tuna Ventures Inc, South Sea Fishing Ventures Philippines Inc and Asia Pacific Allied Fishing Ventures Corp.
RD’s fishing fleet is made up of 102 vessels: 18 catchers, eight reefer carriers, 17 fish carriers, 49 ranger/light boats, one tanker, one tugboat and eight other support boats. The super seiners’ capacity ranges from 450 to 1,200 tonnes and the reef carriers can carry up to 2,400 tonnes.
The canneries process export-grade shrimp, silver mackerel, skipjack, cobia and yellowfin tuna for export.
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- Tuna canners move to expand EU market
By Natalia Real
editorial@fis.com
www.fis.com
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