October 24, 2014

UK seeks to expand pork exports to the Philippines

A trade mission from the UK visited the Philippines recently in a bid to boost British pork exports.

The mission, news sources said, was organised by BPEX and UK Trade and Industry. A division of UK's Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board, BPEX is focused on driving demand for English pork and pig meat products in Britain and globally.

The six-man trade group, sources said, included traders and abattoir representatives.

Export Marketing Manager Jonathan Eckley said the Philippines has already been importing some pig meat from Britain. "But it is a growing economy and there is scope to expand that trade."

The Philippines has a population of 100 million and import about 100,000 tonnes of pork a year largely from the US and Canada. Its economy expanded 7.2% last year, making it Asia's second fastest growing economy after China.

"We have been working with UKTI locally and the mission included a visit to a cold store, a cutting plant, a wet market and retailers," Mr. Eckly said.

The UK delegation met with representative of about 20 Filipino companies which included some the of the country's leading meat importers. The business to business meetings were "extremely successful," Mr. Eckly said.

"The aim of these meetings was to build relationships between traders and for those from the UK to meet significant players in the Philippines market," he said, adding that the visit generated many inquiries from the Philippine side.

"We had a great many inquiries so we are hopeful that will result in enhancing the trade between the UK and the Philippines.