PH has no choice but to import more pork amid ASF woes, say meat processors

The Philippine government’s decision to retain low tariffs on vital agricultural imports and the continued spread of African swine fever (ASF) are expected to further encourage importation, according to the Philippine Association of Meat Processors Inc. (Pampi).

“Due to the retention of these lower tariffs, pork import volume is looking optimistic,” Pampi secretary Precious Chua-Yu told reporters last week. Executive Order No. 10, which extended the validity of lower tariffs on certain food items until end-December, will sustain the entry of imported pork into the country.

She also cited the spread of ASF, especially in areas that initially reported zero cases.

“[For] the longest time, specifically Visayas was not affected by ASF. They built up a very tight biosecurity to protect their hog industry.” But with the recent outbreak in Cebu, “I believe the country … doesn’t have a choice but to resort to pork imports to supply the demand of Filipino consumers,” she added.

The deadly animal disease has so far infected 21 provinces in 11 regions, based on data from the Bureau of Animal Industry as of March 27.

Chua-Yu also cited a report from the US Department of Agriculture, which pegged the country’s pork imports at 600,000 metric tons for 2023, an increase of 4.3 percent.

The outlook on pork imports appears “more promising than poultry at this point,” said Chua-Yu, noting the Department of Agriculture had issued many decrees temporarily banning the importation of poultry products to contain avian influenza.

While the 5-percent duty on mechanically deboned meat of chicken was maintained, the group gave “a dangerous outlook” on poultry importation especially since bird flu was harder to contain. INQ