In 2024, the Philippines saw a significant rise in meat imports, largely because of lower import taxes and ongoing struggles with African swine fever (ASF). According to the Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI), from January to November 2024, the country imported around 1.33 billion kilograms of meat, which is more than the total of 1.2 billion kilograms imported in 2023.
In November 2024 alone, the Philippines brought in about 141.34 million kilograms of meat, which is a 46.8% increase compared to November of last year. However, this amount is a slight drop from October 2024, which had imports of 150.84 million kilograms.
A large part of these imports was pork, totaling 671.56 million kilograms, mostly made up of pork cuts and offals, marking a 21.98% rise from the previous year. Chicken imports also increased, going up by 10.73% to 435.5 million kilograms, which accounted for 32.69% of all meat imports. Most of this chicken was mechanically separated, commonly used in processed foods like hotdogs, patties, and sausages.
Beef imports saw a significant boost of 39.67%, totaling 187.71 million kilograms, with beef cuts making up over half of this amount. On the other hand, buffalo meat imports slightly dropped by 1.24% to 35.22 million kilograms, with the forequarters being the most popular choice.
Other types of imported meats included turkey, exceeding one million kilograms at 1.27 million kilograms, lamb at 613,447 kilograms, and duck at 208,793 kilograms.
Brazil was the top country exporting meat to the Philippines, sending 482.46 million kilograms, which makes up 36.21% of the nation’s meat imports. The United States followed with 204.2 million kilograms (15.33%), and Spain was third with 160.22 million kilograms (12.03%).
The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations estimated that the Philippines’ meat imports reached 1.17 million metric tons in 2024, up from 1.05 million metric tons in 2023. The FAO’s Meat Market Review pointed out that ongoing animal disease challenges, like ASF, are expected to continue limiting local meat supply in the Philippines.
This rise in meat imports shows the Philippines’ efforts to ensure a stable meat supply and pricing amid ongoing difficulties in the local livestock industry.
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