Philippines livestock sector welcomes move to import 300,000 tonnes of corn at zero tariffs
 

The move, which would help lower animal feed prices and the cost of meat production, has been welcomed by both local poultry and livestock raisers. The DA had also filed a petition for the importing of corn at the aforementioned amount before the Tariff Commission as it seeks to mitigate a shortfall in the domestic corn supply.

Animal feed remains expensive as yellow corn prices continue to stay elevated, said Elias Jose Inciong, the president of United Broiler Raisers Association. He pointed out that prices have not return "to the levels seen 2016 and 2017."

Meanwhile, Pork Producers Federation of the Philippines Inc. has expressed support for the DA's proposal which could give feed millers access to cheaper raw materials, said its president, Edwin G. Chen.

The proposal, the DA argued, is in line with its plan to boost local meat output amid declining global pork stocks caused by the increase in the purchases of countries that have reported African swine fever (ASF) outbreaks.

The department added that it would only allow the importation of yellow corn from ASF-free countries and the shipments must not arrive during harvest.

The Philippines imposes a 35% tariff on yellow corn imports within the minimum access volume, while those outside the quota are levied a tariff of 50%.

Manila slaps these tariff rates on yellow corn from countries outside of ASEAN countries.

- Business Mirror