There are considerable imports of fishery products into the Philippines, whereas exports of fishery products are still of minor importance. Exports have, however, shown an upward trend in recent years, mainly the export of frozen tuna to Japan and U.S. and frozen shrimps.
Imports of fishery products into the Philippines during the three-year period, 1965–67 were, according to the Bureau of Census and Statistics, Department of Commerce and Industry, as shown in Table 6. It will be seen from this table that canned fish forms by far the greatest quantity and value, followed by fish meal. As an average during the three-year period, canned fish accounted for 81.4 percent, fish meal 17.85 percent, dried and smoked fish for only 0.67 percent; and fresh fish for 0.04 percent by weight.
4.1.1 Import of Canned Fish
Of the imported canned fish, mackerel was the dominating species followed by sardines and squids. During the three-year period, imports of sardines have dropped from 10 384 885 kg in 1965 to 1 295 373 kg in 1967. Imports of mackerel have, in the same period, increased from 25 572 745 kg to 44 526 526 kg. Imports of squid have gone up from 3 157 516 kg in 1965 to 6 090 719 kg in 1967.
The reason why imports of mackerel have almost completely outstripped imports of sardines is that the Philippines stopped imports from the Union of South Africa in 1965, and this was the main supplier of canned sardines to the Philippines. Japan has taken this trade over and is now almost the only supplier of canned mackerel, supplying 44 475 321 kg or 99.9 percent of the imported mackerel in 1967.
Of 6 090 719 kg import of squid in 1967, Japan supplied 53.4 percent (or 3 250 808 kg) and the U.S. supplied 43.8 percent (or 2 665 061 kg).
4.1.2 Retail of Canned Fish
The retail prices for canned mackerel (Japan) in April 1969 were:
Mackerel in tomato sauce, 15 oz (425 g), Pesos 0.90; that is, Pesos 2.12 per kg
Mackerel in natural oil, 15 oz (425 g), Pesos 0.75; that is, Pesos 1.76 per kg.
Since canned fish is 100 percent edible, these prices compare very favourably with those of fresh fish, which is about pesos 2.40 per kg and is about 55 percent edible.
American imported canned light meat tuna is sold at about 
2.10 per 6.5 oz
(184 g), or p 11.40 per kg. Imported Japanese light meat tuna is sold at 1.25
per 7 oz (200 g), or 6.25 per kg. The local canned light meat tuna is sold at
0.70 per 7 oz, or 3.75 per kg. It will be seen that local canned tuna is very
competitive with imported brands. Imported American squid is sold from 0.75 to
1.00 for 15 oz (425 g) which is equal to 1.76 and 2.35 per kg respectively.
Fresh squid sells in the market for about 2.00 to 2.20 per kg.
The export of fishery products from the Philippines is so far only of minor significance. In recent years there has, however, been an increase in exports of frozen tuna and shrimp. Other products exported from the Philippines are mostly sea shells and shell-craft products and dried seaweeds. In Table 7 is given an outline of exports during the three-year period 1965–67. It will be seen that the export of frozen fish (tuna) has increased from 317 962 kg in 1965 to 1 082 629 kg in 1967. Of the 1967 quantity, 640 486 kg at a value of 582 915 pesos were exported to Japan, and the balance of 462 165 kg at a value of pesos 745 611 to the U.S. Of the 1967 quantity of frozen shrimp, 86 750 kg went to Japan and 20 022 to the U.S. the values being pesos 546 559 and 169 469 respectively. The dried fish and fish sauce were exported to Guam, Hawaii and the U.S., where there is a large Filipino population to buy their special native food.
