Title: “Abaca Gold: How Bicol Can Dominate the P20-Billion Global Market (But Isn’t Yet)”
Post: “Bicol produces 30% of the world’s abaca… yet earns just 5% of its profits. Here’s the NEDA-style breakdown:*
📊 The Numbers:
- Global demand: P20B/year (eco-packaging, luxury textiles).
- Bicol’s current share: P1B (mostly raw exports to China/Japan).
🔍 Missed Opportunities:
❌ No local processing: 90% of abaca shipped as raw fiber (value multiplies 10x if woven here).
❌ Tech lag: Farmers still strip fiber by hand (Philippine-made machines could double output).
💡 The Fix:
- Cluster farming (Albay+Sorsogon co-ops = bulk bargaining power).
- DOST grants for abaca-based product labs (e.g., biodegradable PPEs).
Bottom line: The next ‘banana republic’ could be an ‘abaca empire’—if we act now. Tag an entrepreneur who should see this! #AbacaRevolution
