RD MANUFACTURING GROUP DEALS WITH PNA – PACIFICAL ON MSC-CERTIFIED TUNA
RD Manufacturing Group under RD Corporation signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Pacifical, the global tuna marketing company which represents the eight countries belonging to the Parties of Nauru Agreement (PNA), during Anuga 2017 at Cologne, Germany. The agreement includes catching, processing and distribution of the MSC-Certified tuna for global markets.
With an annual purse seine tuna catch of around 90,000 tons, RD, as a major tuna supplier and processor commits to catching MSC-Certified Free School skipjack and yellowfin tuna.
“This new cooperation is a major step forward in making truly sustainably-caught canned tuna more widely available in the EU market, and hopefully also in the US,” says Pacifical CEO Henk Brus.
The signing of this MoU, is expected to result, in the 1st quarter of 2018. Over one thousand containers of MSC-certified canned, pouched and frozen tuna is expected to make its way to EU and US based importers, retailers, food service industry and food processors thru RD Food BV in EU and RD Foods Americas, Inc. in US. The tuna raw materials will be sourced from RD Fishing Group in Papua New Guinea and the Philippines. The production will come from RD Tuna Canners, Limited in Papua New Guinea, Philbest Canning Corporation in the Philippines and RDEX Food International, Inc. in the Philippines.
With PNG and PH enjoying zero percent duty to EU, this agreement will most likely make MSC tuna available at more competitive prices within the EU market, making it more attractive to a wider group of buyers.
It is also RD’s long term desire to maintain balance between business growth and social responsibility. It is a continuous effort of RD not only to adhere to sustainability principle but to contribute positively to the long-term conservation of natural resources to sustain future generations.
The agreement was signed by RD Corporation Vice Chairman/COO Mr. Ritche Rivera, RD Manufacturing Group Executive Vice President Mr. Roland Joseph Salangsang and the Pacifical CEO Henk Brus last October 9, 2017.