Philippines to build 99 cold storage units with US$53m

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The Philippines’ Department of Agriculture is launching an initiative to construct 99 cold storage facilities, utilizing approximately US$53 million. This project targets the preservation of fruits, vegetables, and other high-value crops.

With construction commencing in the current year, these warehouses will incorporate hybrid systems that integrate renewable energy sources such as solar and wind with the existing power grid. This configuration is tailored for operational efficiency, particularly catering to remote and underserved agricultural locales.

Agriculture Secretary Francisco P Tiu Laurel Jr delineated the department’s expedited cold chain expansion strategy, emphasizing the modular and mega cold storage warehouses (CSWs) being established in crucial agricultural regions. He stated, “These facilities are designed to be scalable and adaptable, with modular features that accommodate local conditions while maintaining operational efficiency and integrity.”

Mega CSWs are configured to manage substantial storage volumes, with capacities spanning from 1,700 to beyond 8,000 pallet positions, focusing on the main production and distribution sectors nationwide. The infrastructure plan encompasses refrigerated vans, dryers, tramlines, packaging instruments, and ice-making plants to foster a holistic logistics framework.

Secretary Laurel also noted that while the focus on cold storage is pertinent, “the development of food hubs and agri-fisheries ports – while more extensive in scope and requiring longer timelines – remains a critical long-term priority.”

The distributed network aims to enhance regional aggregation and streamline distribution methodologies, promoting market access by linking producers to consumers, thereby intending to stabilize supply and lower food prices. Speaking at the Cold Chain Association of the Philippines (CCAP) annual meeting on June 19, Laurel emphasized that support from the CCAP is essential, with its technical acumen being instrumental in this infrastructure initiative.

Source: Cooling Post

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