Sales of local pork producers may receive a boost from the proposed local facility of sausage producer Johnsonville LLC.
The US-based company is teaming up with the processed meat producing unit of Frabelle Fishing Corp. for the exclusive distribution of Johnsonville meat products in the Philippines.
The joint venture company, Frabelle Corp., is looking at several options to expand the partnership in the near future. This may include housing the production of Johnsonville products in Frabelle’s manufacturing plant in Caloocan City.
“The high tax and tariff on imported products coming from the US most certainly did influence Johnsonville producing here. It’s a 40 percent tariff coming in today out of US for sausages. If we could produce here, we can offer much more economic solutions for the sausage category on the high-end,” said Frabelle Corp. president Nick Meriggioli.
Johnsonville is categorized as a super premium sausage brand and uses 100 percent pork without any extenders or mechanically deboned meat, unlike those in low-priced and mid-ranged hotdog makers in the Philippines.
Johnsonville officials conceded that the brand could possibly be the most expensive of all imported sausages sold in the domestic market.
Once the products are locally produced, the joint venture may reduce pricing to remain competitive with other imported brands.
Wisconsin-based Johnsonville is top national sausage brand in the US producing brats, Italian sausage, smoked-cooked links, breakfast sausage, summer sausage and meatballs.
Johnsonville products are served in over 130 professional, college and semi-pro sports stadiums throughout the US. It is present in more than 40 countries worldwide.
Meanwhile, Frabelle Fishing is a local-company based in Manila. It is engaged in diverse business lines, primarily in fishing, seafood processing, meat products, shipbuilding, energy and real estate.