Local milk production went up 15 percent in 2022 to 30.28 million kilograms (kg) from 26.30 million kg in 2021, according to data from the National Dairy Authority (NDA).
The output growth was traced to higher volume produced by dairy animals in the Philippines.
The NDA said local milk production came from dairy animal herd inventory of 71,819 heads as of the end-2022, up 3.2 percent from 69,616 heads in 2021.
Of the total inventory, dairy cattle of 23,608 heads contributed 53 percent of the volume of milk produced while dairy carabaos of 17,299 heads contributed another 36 percent. Milk production from 30,912 goats accounted for 9 percent of all milk produced in the country.
The improved local milk production, however, equal only 5.07 percent of net supply last year which totaled 597 million kg, up 13.81 percent from 2021’s 524.54 million kg.
The bulk of milk and dairy products supply were from imports reaching 595.64 million kg last year or 13.6 percent more than only 523.95 kg in 2021.
This translates to a 37 percent increase in dairy import bill of $1.20 billion in 2021 to $1.64 billion last year, indicating an increase in unit import cost of 23 percent in dollar terms.
NDA data show milk powder forming the bulk or 79 percent of imports. Of the volume, skimmed milk powder accounted for 46 percent, powder milk 19 percent, whole milk powder of 3 percent and buttermilk powder of another 11 percent.
The United States was the lead source of imported dairy products last year or 33 percent of total dairy imports followed by New Zealand with 27 percent. Belgium accounted for 6 percent and Australia 4 percent.
But while the Philippines is not self-sufficient in milk and dairy products, dairy exports total 28.92 million kg last year, up 12.5 percent from 25.71 million kg in 2021.
The exports were in the form of whole milk powder, ready to drink milk, skim milk powder, ice drops and ice cream and mixes to destinations including Malaysia (38 percent) Singapore (11 percent), Vietnam (10 percent), Bangladesh (7 percent), and Canada (5 percent).
