SEOUL, 29 February 2016 - A Philippine team led by the Department of Agriculture (DA) office in the bountiful farmlands of Mindanao successfully conducted an agribusiness mission to Korea on 28-29 February 2016.

The agribusiness mission, which was organized by Agricultural Analyst Maria Alilia G. Maghirang of the Philippine Agricultural Office, was headed by the DA-Regional Field Office XII Agribusiness and Marketing Chief, Mr. Danilo Centillas, and three officers from the DA Regional Field Office XII and a director from the Region XII Mango Industry Development Council. The agribusiness mission was conducted to assess the potential of possible agribusiness projects for adoption in the Region XII (also called SOCCSKSARGEN) and to explore and/or expand the potential market for Philippine agricultural products. SOCCSKSARGEN, which represent the initials of South Cotabato, Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, Sarangani and General Santos City, is considered the Tuna Capital of the Philippines and Fruit Center of Southern Mindanao. The agribusiness mission held meetings with the National Agricultural Cooperative Federation (Nonghyup), Anseongmachum Cooperative's Fresh Cut Agricultural Products Center (APC), Seoul Agro-Fisheries Trading Corporation, the Korea Importers Association (KOIMA), Del Monte Fresh Produce (Korea) and other food importers. During the meetings at KOIMA headquarters, Mr. Danilo M. Centillas, Chief of the Agribusiness and Marketing Assistance Division, DA delivered a presentation highlighting the agri-exports of Region XII and agribusiness investment opportunities in the region. The agribusiness mission also conducted market scanning at the Garak Agricultural and Marine Products Wholesale Market and other leading food markets in the ROK. The agribusiness mission, which also made a courtesy call on Mr. Roderico C. Atienza, First Secretary and Consul General of the Embassy of the Philippines on its first day, was fruitful as it yielded promising business leads and investment opportunities for the agricultural sector in the SOCCSKSARGEN Region.