Despite ASF threat, Philippine hog industry sees better 2024

MANILA, Philippines  — Hog production in the Philippines is expected to increase this year—albeit at a slower pace— as the country continues to make strides in the fight against African swine fever (ASF).

National Federation of Hog Farmers Inc. president Chester Warren Tan said domestic hog output was projected to grow by 3 percent.

“With a situation where there are still problems, we still see a positive development … an increase in production,” Tan said on the sidelines of an event in Quezon City last week.

As of end-September 2023, total swine inventory, or the number of hogs, whether imported or local, in the possession of raisers, stood at 9.86 million heads, down by 2.1 percent, according to the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA).

READ: Hog raisers brace for slow recovery

The volume is still far from the about 13 million heads before the country recorded its first ASF outbreak in 2019.

Local hog production, meanwhile, reached 1.79 million metric tons (MT) in 2023, higher than 1.73 million MT in 2022.

Tan said they hoped the Guinness World Record for the most variety of pork dishes on display clinched last Friday would serve as a morale booster for local hog raisers to increase production.

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Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. is also feeling optimistic about the country slowly eradicating the virus by next year if the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) would accredit at least one vaccine. Two firms are now awaiting approval, while two more are expected to apply.

“The good news is there are already vaccines that are on the way that may be accredited within the year by the FDA with assistance from DA,” Tiu Laurel said.