The Department of Agriculture announced Monday that its new 60-day temporary restriction on pork imports could be extended beyond the initial period if conditions warrant, stressing that the government must balance the interests of local producers, consumers, and meat processors. Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. confirmed the possibility of extending the measure, drawing parallels with last year’s rice import ban, while noting that careful consideration is needed to avoid undue impact on meat prices and supply ahead of the Christmas season.
Issued via department order signed last Saturday, the provisional safeguard measure covers fresh and frozen pork cuts, carcasses, and edible offal under applicable tariff codes. It will take effect once the Bureau of Customs issues its implementing order or 15 days after publication in two general circulation newspapers, whichever comes first. The action follows a preliminary investigation showing a sharp rise in imports has caused serious injury to the domestic hog industry, with losses estimated at P27.9 billion in the first seven months of 2026 — a figure that could double to P55.8 billion by year-end, while industry estimates place potential losses as high as P100 billion.
Import volumes rose 42% from 589,675 metric tons in 2023 to 836,240 MT in 2025, with imports capturing a growing share of domestic consumption — rising from 39% in 2021 to 65% in the first half of 2026 — as local self-sufficiency declined from 74.3% to just 54% between 2021 and January–August 2026. Inventories reached 121,000 MT in July, up 38% year-on-year and more than double 2024 levels, with imports accounting for 94% of stocks. This buildup has pushed farmgate prices down from an average P198.30 per kilogram in 2025 to P175.75 in the first half of 2026, with some farmers reporting prices as low as P120 per kilogram — a 50% drop from previous levels.
Secretary Tiu Laurel emphasized the industry is still recovering from African Swine Fever losses, and the import surge threatens that recovery. The case will now move to the Tariff Commission for a full formal investigation to determine whether permanent safeguard measures are justified. The DA also supports raising pork tariffs to 30% for in-quota shipments and 40% for out-quota, up from the current 15% and 25%. Officials noted existing oversupply should prevent sharp price increases during the holiday period, with recent monitoring showing pork ham at P300 per kilogram, pork belly at P370, frozen kasim at P230, and frozen liempo at P290 in Metro Manila markets as of November 8. Beyond immediate measures, the department said it is pursuing broader reforms to rebuild the national hog population back to 13 million heads by 2028.
