December 17, 2024

 

Philippine meat imports rise by 16.8% in 2024 driven by pork and chicken

The Philippines' meat imports reached 1.19 million metric tonnes (MMT) from January to October 2024, marking a 16.8% increase compared to the 1.01 MMT recorded during the same period last year, according to data from the Philippines' Department of Agriculture's Bureau of Animal Industry.

 

The increase was largely driven by pork imports, which accounted for 598,276 metric tonnes, or 50.24% of the total shipments. This figure is higher than last year's record of 504,308 metric tonnes. Chicken imports totalled 389,952 metric tonnes, representing 32.7% of the total and showing an 8.55% increase from the 359,230 metric tonnes recorded during the same period last year.

 

Beef imports saw the largest annual increase, rising by 38.8% to 167,548 metric tonnes compared to 120,640 metric tonnes in the previous year.

 

Brazil emerged as the Philippines' top meat supplier during the period, exporting 420,359 metric tonnes, or 35.3% of total imports. The US followed with 179,557 metric tonnes, while Spain shipped 146,311 metric tonnes. Canada contributed 102,870 metric tonnes, Australia exported 63,779 metric tonnes, and the Netherlands delivered 58,725 metric tonnes of meat.

 

Despite the rise in imports, the Foreign Agricultural Services (FAS) of the US Department of Agriculture has projected an increase in the Philippines' domestic production of pork, chicken, and beef as new investments enter the market.

 

In its recent report, the FAS forecasted domestic pork production to reach 1.04 MMT in 2024, up from the 2023 projection of 950,000 metric tonnes, citing ongoing swine repopulation efforts. The agency also raised the 2024 beef production estimate to 183,000 metric tonnes from 182,000 metric tonnes in 2023.

 

Executive Order 62, which reduced tariffs on agricultural imports, is expected to augment local supply, particularly for chicken meat, amid strong market demand in the medium term, the FAS noted.

 

In 2023, the Philippine Statistics Authority reported over five MMT of livestock, poultry, and other animal products were produced domestically. The Department of Agriculture viewed this as a sign of recovery following the disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and outbreaks of animal diseases.

 

The department also attributed the recovery to lifting bans on products from countries previously affected by bird flu and African swine fever.

 

-      The Manila Times