Philippines expected to import 20% more pork this year

The Philippines expects increased pork production in 2023 and decreased imports.

An estimated five million hogs have been killed due to African swine fever since its appearance in the country in 2019.

The country's pork production is forecast to reach 1 million MT in 2023 as commercial pork producers plan to raise larger pigs.

Davao del Norte’s Island Garden City of Samal (IGACOS) is a recipient of PHP10 million worth of projects aimed at boosting its swine production.

Reduced pork import duties have been extended to address supply issues and temper inflation.

This reduction in total pigmeat exports is driven by a nearly 45% anticipated decline in sales by China.

The province of Batangas was selected as a pilot area in the implementation of the program.

The project will contribute an additional supply of swine that can help stabilize the prices of pork in the market.

So far this year, the Philippines has imported 545,214 tonnes of pork and pork products.

Exports of pork from the UK to the Philippines reached almost £17 million in the first four months of 2022 – up 14% on the same period last year.

This measure is to address the inflationary impact of the Russia-Ukraine conflict.

Spain, Canada, and Brazil were the leading pork suppliers in the first four months of the year.