The Department of Agriculture-Davao (DA-11) said Tuesday that a Japanese company is considering importing Philippine dressed chickens, marking a potential new market for local poultry producers.

In an interview with the Philippine News Agency, Marie Ann Constantino, the DA-11 regional technical director for operations, said that Takeshi Nagano, the president of Maruyu Co., Ltd., expressed this intent during the business matching session of Invest Davao: Kadayawan Global Connect 2025.

She said that to start the importation, a certification from the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH), formerly the Office International des Epizooties (OIE), is needed to prove that the country is free from Avian influenza (AI).

Constantino noted that the certification is based on a “per country basis,” not on a “per island basis.”

“We will coordinate with the concerned government offices and take action on the company’s concern,” she said.

Constantino clarified that in the animal poultry sector, WOAH is a global organization focused on improving animal health and welfare worldwide.

For poultry, this includes setting standards for international trade in poultry and poultry products, promoting animal welfare, and disseminating information on animal diseases, including those affecting poultry, like avian influenza.

Currently, Ana’s Breeders Farms Inc. here has yet to secure Good Animal Husbandry Practices (GAHP), which is necessary for export once the resumption of dressed chicken exports to Japan is allowed.

“Mr. Nagano expressed their intention to import dressed chicken from Jonathan Suy of Ana’s Breeders Farm, Inc., located in Toril, Davao City,” she said.

Constantino noted that while the Japanese market is not yet officially open for Philippine dressed chicken, Nagano and Suy have begun initial negotiations.

Constantino has agreed to help with the negotiations and has suggested seeking support from the Mindanao Development Authority to improve the chances of marketing the Philippine product in Japan.

Meanwhile, Alexander Sibuan, agriculturist II of DA-11, said that due to the AI threat in previous years, the importation was not made possible.

“They are looking for market opportunities for dressed chicken in Mindanao since we are AI-free. However, the declaration should be on a per-country basis, so DA will check if that’s possible,” he added.

Sibuan said that they will also coordinate with the Bureau of Animal Industry if the importation is possible, since the agency is the competent authority to coordinate with WOAH. (PNA)