August 3, 2009
Philippine beef imports down 22 percent in June
Philippines beef imports in June fell 22 percent compared with June 2008 to 6,855 tonnes swt.
Similarly, imports in the 2008-09 financial year declined 21 percent on 2007-08, to 96,112 tonnes swt. The economic slowdown was one of the factors contributing to lower beef consumption in the Philippines, particularly in the foodservice sector.
Last year saw mixed trends in beef imports from Brazil, India, Australia, US and Canada into the Philippines, driven mainly by prices and supply availability.
Imports of Brazilian beef during 2008-09 dropped 58 percent compared with 2007-08 to a seven-year low of 10,886 tonnes swt due to tight supplies. Imports of Indian carabeef in 2008-09 also fell, by 29 percent year-on-year, to 45,967 tonnes swt, although it remained the dominant supplier of Philippines' total beef and carabeef imports.
In contrast, beef imports from Australia, US and Canada increased 59 percent, 11 percent and 28 percent on 2007-08, respectively, with the majority being used in fast food outlets and for further processing.
Demand for processed food remained steady in the Philippines over the past fiscal year, as consumers found it a cheaper alternative source of protein amid the economic downturn.
