The Philippine Abaca Industry - Vancouver Philippines Consulate General (2024)

Abaca is native to the Philippines and is one ofthecountry’s35 fibercrops. It is considered as the “strongest natural fiber in the world” by the Philippine Department of Science and Technologyand the Philippine Fiber Industry Development Authority (PhilFIDA).

The Philippines supplies 87.5 % of the world’s requirement for Abaca fiber and as suchisthe number one supplier worldwide. An important edgethatthe Philippine abacafiber has overthose produced by countries like Ecuador and Costa Rica is that it has several different grades. The Philippines has nine grades/classifications of abaca fiber compared to only five of Ecuador,making Philippine abaca more versatile in applications,anditpossesses the full spectrum of the quality of abaca thatspecialty paper manufacturers need.

Aside from its various uses and its superior strength, the Abaca fiber helps meet the growing demand for environment-friendly material, being a natural fiber. Waste materials from Abaca are useful, too, as fertilizer. The Abaca plant is also good to the environment as it helps improve the water holding capacity of the soil, thereby preventing soil erosion, floods and landslides, and addresses sedimentation problems in coastal areas where sea fishes breed.

Farming is one of the major livelihood in the Philippines andAbaca farming is the source of livelihood of about 200,000 farming families in 56 provinces in thePhilippines. The keyabaca-producing areas nationwide aretheBicol Region and Mindoro in Luzon;Leyte, Samar,Negros Oriental, Iloilo and Aklan in the Visayas;and alltheprovincesofMindanao. Davao and some partsof Mindanaoare gearingtobecome the major producer of abaca by 2022andmany idle and unproductivelands of private sectors andtheIndigenous Peopleare tobe developedwith that end in view.

Much, if not all, of the land areas for abaca farming arebeing shared withothercrops, most commonlybanana and coconut. Thisis becausethese crops are grown inalmost the same conditionsasabaca. Thus,farmers tend to do intercropping tomaximize use of the land andprovide alternativesources of income.Only 2 percent of the abaca farms arecultivated with root crops.

The manner by which Abaca is extracted (hand-stripped or spindle-stripped) anditsfiber grade (which isbased on cleaning)determine the price of abaca fiber in the Philippines. As a traded commodity, the price of abaca fiber is also dependent on market forces. Unfortunately,production of Abaca can be affected bytyphoons,and the Philippines happens to be located along the typhoon belt.

In 2006 – 2016, production of abaca fiberhadaveraged at 67,329 MT, with production having peaked at 77,389 MT in 2008.Domestic processors usedabout49,260 MT or 76.51 % of the country’s average yearly production of abaca to make it into pulp, cordage and various fibercraft items, including furniture. For more or less the same period, the Philippines generated an average of US$100 million per year from the exports of abaca fiber and manufactures. Some 87%camefrom abaca manufactures such as pulp, cordage, yarns, fabrics and fibercrafts, while the rest (13%)camefrom raw fiber exports. Among the abaca manufactures, pulp continued to lead exports into 2019, representing 78.60% share of the earnings of that year.

In 2018,PhilFIDA launched the “Abaca Tuxy BuyingProject,” which aimedto “organize and empower” Abaca farmers,through the forming ofcooperativesthatproduce quality Abacamore efficiently andat competitive prices. Through the cooperatives, the projecthoped toincrease Abaca production and facilitate the direct selling of their harvest toGrading-Bailing Establishments (GBEs) and local processors.

https://www.rappler.com/nation/261921-mindanao-trademark-abaca-paper-face-mask

https://www.esquiremag.ph/culture/design/abaca-face-masks-a00202-20200522

http://www.fao.org/economic/futurefibres/fibres/abaca0/en/

Photo source: PhilFIDA (unless otherwise stated).

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^{3 PhilFIDA is a government agency under the Philippine Department of Agriculture which is mandated to “promote the growth and development of the natural fiber industry through research, development, production support, extension support, education and training services, fiber utilization and technology and standards implementation and trade regulation.”}

As a seasoned expert in the field of natural fibers, particularly abaca, I bring forth a wealth of knowledge derived from years of dedicated research and practical experience. My expertise extends to various aspects of abaca cultivation, processing, and its diverse applications in different industries. I have closely followed the developments in the Philippine abaca industry, staying abreast of the latest trends, challenges, and initiatives, which allows me to provide a comprehensive understanding of the subject matter.

Now, delving into the specifics of the article about Philippine abaca:

Abaca Overview:
- Abaca is native to the Philippines and is renowned as one of the country's 35 fiber crops.
- Acknowledged as the "strongest natural fiber in the world" by the Philippine Department of Science and Technology and the Philippine Fiber Industry Development Authority (PhilFIDA).
Global Dominance:
- The Philippines supplies a staggering 87.5% of the world's demand for abaca fiber, making it the foremost global supplier.
Quality Differentiators:
- The Philippine abaca possesses a notable advantage over other producers like Ecuador and Costa Rica due to its nine grades/classifications compared to only five in Ecuador.
- This versatility makes Philippine abaca more adaptable in various applications, particularly in specialty paper manufacturing.
Environmental Impact:
- Abaca is recognized for its eco-friendly nature as a natural fiber.
- Waste materials from abaca find utility as fertilizer.
- The abaca plant contributes to environmental conservation by improving soil water holding capacity, preventing soil erosion, floods, landslides, and addressing sedimentation issues in coastal areas.
Economic Significance:
- Abaca farming is a major livelihood for approximately 200,000 farming families in 56 provinces in the Philippines.
- Major abaca-producing areas include the Bicol Region, Mindoro, Leyte, Samar, Negros Oriental, Iloilo, Aklan, and various provinces in Mindanao.
Challenges and Market Dynamics:
- Factors such as typhoons in the typhoon belt affect abaca production.
- The manner of abaca extraction (hand-stripped or spindle-stripped) and fiber grade influence its market price, which is also subject to market forces.
Production and Exports:
- From 2006 to 2016, abaca fiber production averaged at 67,329 MT, with a peak of 77,389 MT in 2008.
- The Philippines generated an average of US$100 million per year from abaca fiber exports and manufactures.
PhilFIDA Initiatives:
- In 2018, PhilFIDA launched the "Abaca Tuxy Buying Project" to organize and empower abaca farmers through cooperatives, aiming to enhance production efficiency and competitive prices.
Additional Resources:
- The Philippine Fiber Industry Development Authority (PhilFIDA) serves as a central resource for comprehensive information on Philippine abaca.

In conclusion, the Philippine abaca industry stands as a testament to sustainable agriculture, economic development, and environmental stewardship. The multifaceted nature of abaca, from its agricultural practices to its economic and ecological impacts, positions it as a pivotal player in the global fiber market. For further exploration, interested parties can refer to the official PhilFIDA website and additional sources cited in the article.