PH meat imports down in 2023

INQUIRER FILE PHOTO / GRIG C. MONTEGRANDE

The Philippines sourced less meat from abroad in the first 11 months of 2023 as demand was dampened by high prices.

Data from the Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI) showed that the country brought in 1.1 billion kilograms of meat as of November last year, down 10.9 percent from 1.3 billion kg in 2022.

Nearly half or 49.4 percent of the imported meat were pork, with the volume decreasing by 17.1 percent to 550.5 million kg during the comparative period.

On the other hand, the volume of imported chicken went up year-on-year by 5.7 percent to 393.3 million kg as of end-November.

A more hefty decline in imports was seen in beef with the volume declining by 21.7 percent to 134.4 million kg.

Meat Importers and Traders Association president emeritus Jesus Cham expects the imported volume this year to stay at the same level as in 2023 as consumers are still “under pressure” from high prices, thus prompting importers to hold back on more purchases. INQ