Popular Chef and Japanese Restaurant owner Alex Sebastian said Mindanao farmers should breed and produce more local Wagyu because the meat quality is comparable to those imported from Japan and Australia.
Yesterday, Alex, who owns three branches of Japanese Restaurant Robata, showed me his stocks of imported Wagyu and Angus beef choice cuts priced between P3,500 to P7,000 per kilo which he said is gaining popularity among local consumers.
“Filipino consumers are willing to pay a higher price for premium beef like Wagyu and Angus,” Alex said adding that Filipino Cattle farmers should ride on this popularity.
“I tasted the Wagyu Beef from the farm of Arnel Corpuz and it was comparable to imported Wagyu,” he said.
He said that from the premium cuts for steak alone, Filipino farmers will be able to earn a considerable sum, not including other parts which could still be sold for a higher price.
Right now, the biggest Wagyu Farm is the Umalag Wagyu Ranch owned by Ramcar Corp. in Libona, Bukidnon with an estimated herd of 3,000.
At the Great Arch Farm Feedlot in Glamang, Polomolok, South Cotabato, Cattle Nutritionist and Outstanding OFW Arnel Corpuz and I have a growing herd of pure Wagyu and half-Brahaman-half-Wagyu called “Bragyu.”
Alex said breeding more Wagyu locally would make this premium beef more accessible and affordable for local consumers.
