August 30, 2024
Philippine milk production falls short of growing demand, despite increase in 2024 output
Domestic milk production in the Philippines continues to lag behind the growing demand, despite a 15% increase in output during the first half of 2024, according to an industry group, Philippine Daily Inquirer reported.
The Philippine Chamber of Agriculture and Food Inc (PCAFI) highlighted the ongoing gap between production and demand, attributing it to insufficient support for local milk producers.
"Milk production will not increase in line with demand and will not be able to support the growing per capita consumption and population growth," said PCAFI president Danilo Fausto.
According to data from the National Dairy Authority (NDA), the country's milk output reached 16,020 metric tonnes (MT) in the first six months of 2024, up from 13,940 MT during the same period last year. Despite this growth, domestic production accounted for only 21% of the total liquid milk supply.
In addition to the rise in local production, the NDA reported an increase in milk imports and exports. The volume of milk imported into the country reached 1.65 million MT during the first half of the year, marking a 12.9% increase from 1.46 million MT in the same period in 2023.
However, despite the higher import volume, the value of milk imports declined by 9.2% to US$37.01 billion, down from US$40.78 billion a year earlier.
Fausto attributed the country's continued reliance on imports to what he described as government neglect and the low priority given to developing the local milk industry.
New Zealand emerged as the largest source of milk imports for the Philippines, contributing 31% of the total dairy import value. The US followed with a 23% share, while Indonesia accounted for 5%.
The local milk production sector is supported by a dairy animal inventory of 151,059 heads, comprising 34,754 dairy cattle, 80,805 dairy carabaos, and 35,500 dairy goats.
- Philippine Daily Inquirer
