High prices of pork products from traditional sources such as the US have discouraged potential meat importers from bringing in imported pork into the Philippines, according to Pork Producers Federation of the Philippines Inc (PPFPI).

 

PPFPI president Albert Lim said it is apparent that the prospects for bringing in 5,000 tonnes of pork products on or before June 10 are already dim.

 

"The price of imported pork is too high. I think what is also discouraging importers is that aside from the freight cost, pork products are sold by the pound," Lim said.

 

The Philippines uses the kilogramme as its measure of weight.

 

Based on figures released by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) in May, the average price of swine meat in traditional meat-exporting countries such as the US averaged 78 cents per pound in April. In 2009 the IMF estimated that the average price of swine meat was at 56 cents per pound.

 

Earlier, the Department of Agriculture (DA) said the 5,000 tonnes which the government has authorised for importation are for the use of the private sector, particularly fast-food chains and establishments with cold-chain systems.

 

The government did not release all the guidelines, but the DA noted that the importation will be done under the so-called tax-expenditure subsidy scheme wherein the government will shoulder the duties levied on imported pork products.

 

"The Food Terminal Inc (FTI) will serve as the importing entity, but [the importation] is a privilege reserved for the private sector. If they don't want to bring in the volume, then it's fine by us," said Agriculture Undersecretary for Livestock and Fisheries Salvador Salacup Salacup.

 

The 5,000 tonnes of imported pork is equivalent to 15 days of pork consumption by Metro Manila consumers. Salacup disclosed that the imports are available only to traders from the National Capital Region (NCR).