April 19, 2007

Philippines beef imports down
 

The Philippines imported 69,085 metric tonnes of beef, down four percent from the same period last year, according to analysts at Meat and Livestock Australia.

Beef imports from Australia, New Zealand and India fell by 20 percent, eight percent and 13 percent over the year to February, to 6,101 metric tonnes, 3,682 metric tonnes, and 38,981 metric tonnes, respectively.

Exports from these suppliers accounted for 71 percent of total beef imports into Philippines over the period, with the falls attributed to a slow down in the manufacturing sector, according to MLA.

MLA added that reportedly, there was a shift from using manufacturing beef to lower priced mechanically de-boned poultry meat.

The Philippine's imports of Brazilian beef also rose 11 percent on February 2006, to 2,076 metric tonnes, lifting total beef imports 27 percent over the year to February to 18,312 metric tonnes. The rise was a result of increased use of Brazilian beef in retail and lower end foodservice outlets.

US beef imports also saw an increase of two percent over the year to 1,494 metric tonnes, with cheaper cuts becoming popular in the frozen meat section at retail and foodservice outlets.

Despite the overall fall in beef imports, Filipino chilled trade with Australia is expected to remain firm, as demand for quality chilled loin beef cuts from the foodservice sector is set to grow, MLA said.