June 14, 2022

 

Philippines' pork imports expected to reach record high

 

 

The UN Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) said the Philippines' pork imports may increase by 2.71% year-on-year to a record 341,000 tonnes in 2022, to make up for a shortfall in domestic supply caused by African swine fever (ASF), Business Mirror reported.

 

Despite the gloomy outlook for the Philippines' swine herd recovery, the FAO's biannual food outlook report also projected a slight increase in local pig production this year, from 1.118 million tonnes last year to 1.192 million tonnes this year.

 

In the Philippines, total swine utilisation is expected to increase slightly to 1.531 million tonnes from 1.518 million tonnes last year.

 

According to the FAO, the Philippines will be the world's seventh largest importer of pork. China remains the world's largest buyer with 3.854 million tonnes of imported pork.

 

It also predicted that total meat imports in the country would increase by 1.4% this year to 948,000 tonnes, up from 935,000 tonnes last year. Meanwhile, local meat production in the Philippines is expected to rise 1.32% year-on-year to 2.823 million tonnes this year.

 

According to the latest Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI) data, the country's meat imports increased by nearly 10% on an annual basis to nearly 350,000 tonnes from January to April.

 

BAI data showed meat imports during the four-month period were 30,814.584 tonnes higher than the 319,076.632 tonnes recorded during the same period a year ago.

 

The same report also showed the Philippines' dairy imports will increase this year due to "rising consumer demand." It stated that the country's domestic milk production is unable to meet rising demand.

 

The FAO said the country's population growth has outpaced local milk production.

 

The country's total dairy output will remain unchanged at 14 tonnes this year, while imports will rise to 2.622 million tonnes, up 2.42% from last year's 2.56 million tonnes.

 

The FAO said the Philippines' increased purchases of imported skim milk powder (SMP) will contribute to the overall increase in dairy product imports this year. But because of high international prices and economic downturns, the FAO predicts that the country's butter and cheese imports will decline this year.

 

-      Business Mirror