Philippines-based Fisherfarms diversifies into shrimp value-added products

Pulilan, Philippines-based Fisherfarms is doubling down on value-added products as it seeks to avoid the volatility of the commodity market. 

Fisherfarms CEO Imelda J. Madarang told SeafoodSource during Seafood Expo Global – which took place from 25 to 27 April in Barcelona, Spain – that the company has continued with its value-added strategy it launched in 2018. Since that time, the company has begun producing shrimp products in addition to its milkfish products to diversify its product lines.

Madarang said its milkfish producers had success, but in limited markets. Fisherfarms continues to work on finding formats that will give it a broader reach with its milkfish sales, but added shrimp products as a means of diversification.

“It was difficult going to the mainstream [with milkfish], because it’s an unknown species,” she said. 

The end result of that process was the creation of a number of value-added shrimp products, including a Seafood Excellence Global Awards finalist: Fisherfarms Corn & Coconut Breaded Shrimp.

Madarang said the product came about as the company sought to “make something different” than the standard coconut shrimp. Coconut and corn, she said, are both stable commodities, adding to the products value. 

The product also earned three stars from the Belgium-based Superior Taste Award – a taste certification run by the International Taste Institute. 

The company has also made inroads in supplying restaurant chains locally – including ... 

Photo by Chris Chase/SeafoodSource