The Meat Importers and Traders Association (MITA) has asked the Department of Agriculture (DA) to reconsider planned changes to the minimum access volume (MAV) rules for pork imports, warning that the proposal is creating “substantial uncertainty” for traders.
In a December 3 letter to the DA, MITA said the proposed revamp of MAV allocations—now nearing completion—could disrupt supply next year. Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. has said the review is intended to help manage retail pork prices.
The DA began reviewing MAV rules after finding that 47 of 130 quota holders control 80 percent of allocations, with 22 of them holding 70 percent of the total volume. Pork imported under MAV is taxed at 15 percent, compared with the regular 25 percent tariff.
The current 55,000-metric-ton MAV allocation designates 30,000 MT for processors. Under the proposal, allocations would shift to 50 percent for processors, 30 percent for state-owned firms, and 20 percent for traders. MITA said this would not increase supply or solve market issues and called any reset “unfair and inequitable.”
The group argued the long-standing MAV system has been stable since 1996 and that abrupt changes planned for 2026 could force importers to pay higher out-quota tariffs, raising costs and affecting existing contracts.
MITA noted that domestic pork output remains constrained after African swine fever reduced the hog population starting in 2019.
As of December 5, DA market monitoring showed pork ham selling for P285–P390 per kilo, pork belly for P320–P470, frozen kasim for P210–P280, and frozen liempo for P290–P350.
