MANILA — Alabama-based broiler breeder company, Aviagen, Inc., is considering expanding its operations to the Philippines, according to Rafael Monleon, the company’s Asia Pacific business manager.

Monleon revealed this during a press conference on Tuesday at the United States Embassy in Taguig City. Aviagen is exploring the possibility of establishing its own operation in the Philippines to enhance its distribution network.

“We already have established customers here who distribute our products. However, the availability and supply of our products are currently insufficient,” Monleon explained. He further added that having a local operation in the Philippines would help address this supply gap and cater to the growing demand for quality broiler breeding stock in the country.

Monleon mentioned that Aviagen is still in the process of conducting a feasibility study for the Philippine market and has not yet finalized a timeline for its investment plan.

Aviagen is part of a group of ten U.S. agriculture technology companies participating in trade missions in Manila and Davao City from September 28 to October 4. This mission is aimed at facilitating the contribution of the U.S. private sector to the Philippines’ economic activity. The U.S. Embassy in Manila, in partnership with the Business Council for International Understanding (BCIU), is organizing this agritech mission.

Paul Taylor, Senior Counselor at the U.S. Embassy in Manila, highlighted the mission’s goals, including establishing connections with decision-makers in regional agriculture offices, particularly in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM). The mission also seeks to address challenges related to capacity building and food security in the Philippines.

The trade mission features prominent U.S. companies such as A John Deere Tractor Co., Archer Daniels Midland, Cargill, PepsiCo, Sukup Manufacturing, Valmont Industries, Veea, Inc., Viasat, Northwest Missouri State University, and Aviagen, among others.

U.S. Ambassador to the Philippines MaryKay Carlson emphasized that the Philippines is among the top 10 markets for U.S. agricultural exports, with bilateral trade in agricultural products exceeding USD 4 billion in 2022.

She pointed out that the mission brings innovative agricultural technology solutions to Filipino farmers, contributing to the country’s goal of achieving food security. (ai/mnm)