Being strategically positioned in the midst of the major fishing countries in Southeast Asia, Singapore sees the opportunity to develop and expand its seafood processing industry. The industry has upgraded into a highly automated and high capacity fish product manufacturing business, catering for both domestic demand and export to the US, EU and Australia.
Since the late 1970s, AVA has been instrumental in turning the fish processing industry from a predominantly domestic, labour intensive, backyard industry into a mechanised and later automated, modern one that is growing in its export markets. This success is the result of years of working closely with and providing training to the industry as well as upgrading the skill-set through the introduction of Japanese technology adapted to suit the local industry. The use of alternate raw materials as well as mechanisation and the development of value-added products has also contributed to this success.
Notable among the contributions of AVA to the industry was introducing the concept of HACCP to the seafood processing industry, and assisting individual manufacturers to develop their own HACCP programmes. AVA also played a key role in assisting the local fish processors to set up the Seafood Industries Association, Singapore (SIAS). The SIAS represents the seafood processing, manufacturing and trading companies in Singapore. AVA continues to work closely with SIAS and other government agencies to upgrade the local fish processing industry.
With an aim to aid the local fish processing industry, AVA has been largely active in the following areas:
- Assisting the fish processing industry in developing value-added products
- Assisting the aquaculture industry in promoting the utilisation of farmed fish through product development
- Assisting the fish processing industry to develop HACCP systems
The AVA manages the Marine Fisheries Research Department (MFRD) sited at the Lim Chu Kang Agri-Bio Park. MFRD is one of the four Departments of the Southeast Asian Fisheries Development Center (SEAFDEC), of which Singapore is a member country.
As part of its projects, MFRD also manages a website, www.fishsafetyinfo.com, which aims to be a resource centre for fish safety information matters.
The AVA carries out R&D in fisheries post-harvest technology. Some of the areas of research include:
- Developing high value smoked fish products from marine wild and aquacultured fish species
- Developing a standard for comminuted or fish jelly products
- Identification and verification of hazards for fish ball / fish cake
AVA organises study trips and trade missions for industry members so that they can upgrade their knowledge and skills as well as establish valuable networks with seafood industries in other countries. Certification courses are also conducted to upgrade the skills and knowledge of workers in the local seafood processing industry.
In collaboration with the SIAS, AVA also organises seminars and workshops on HACCP as well as fish processing and product development for the local seafood industry.
AVA is able to provide consultancy and technical assistance in fish processing and product development to interested companies too.
Post-Harvest Division
Agri-Food & Veterinary Authority of Singapore
2 Perahu Road
Singapore 718915
Tel : (65) 6790 7973
Fax: (65) 6861 3196
Email: mfrdlibr@pacific.net.sg
Operating hours:
| Mon - Thurs |
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8.00am - 12.30pm |
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1.30pm - 5.30pm |
| Fri |
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8.00am - 12.30pm |
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1.30pm - 5.00pm |
| Sat, Sun and Public Holidays |
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Closed | |