Value Chain Analysis of Pen Shell (Baloko) in the Province of Sorsogon, Philippines

Sorsogon Bay is home to the pen shell (Atrina pectinata), locally known as Baloko. This study was designed to assess the existing value chains of pen shell and identify areas for improvement. The sites covered were the municipalities along Sorsogon Bay in the province of Sorsogon, Philippines. It employed the tracer methodology where only the processors and fisherfolks connected to the traders were selected as respondents of the study. Primary data were gathered through semi-structured questionnaires. Secondary data were used to establish a good understanding of the pen shell industry in the areas of the study. Results show that the adductor muscle or tinga is a substitute for scallops, thus, an export product. The other parts of pen shell or rambit are also of high demand. The highest volume of pen shell catch occur during October to April during the northeast monsoon (amihan) and gradually decline from May to September during the southwest monsoon (habagat) months. The value chain maps reflect the whole meat and semi-processed value chains, the two distinct marketing practices traced in the pen shell industry. The actors in the two value chains are the fisherfolks, processors, traders, and exporters. The enablers are the fisherfolks’ organization, local government unit (LGU), Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR), City Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Management Council (CFARMC), microfinance institutions, Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), and Phil Export. There is uneven distribution of value added in both chains. More value is created and captured by the processors while the fisherfolks have negative gains. The value-added captured by the processors and traders are higher in semi-processed practice. There is the need to focus on the supply of pen shell, the effects of pollution of Sorsogon Bay, market information, technology to preserve the quality of products, industry association, and basic researches on pen shell under Sorsogon Bay condition.