The Philippines on Wednesday reported a 20.4 percent increase in meat imports totaling 1.45 billion kilograms, according to the Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI). This compared against only 1.2 billion kg imported in 2023, highlighting a growing dependency on foreign meat supplies.
Meat imports were highest in October, accounting for 150.84 million kg. or 10.4 percent of total imports for the year. Brazil emerged as the leading supplier, accounting for 36.9 percent of meat imports, contributing 395.88 million kg.
Pork imports dominated the market, making up over half (50.61 percent) of the total at 733.73 million kg, a 23.96 percent increase from the previous year. Chicken followed closely, with imports rising 10.69 percent to 472.21 million kg. Beef imports posted the largest growth, surging 40.62 percent to 203.9 million kg.
However, the increased reliance on imported meat raises the alarm among agricultural stakeholders.
Danilo Fausto, president of the Philippine Chamber of Agriculture and Food Inc., emphasized the urgent need for the Department of Agriculture (DA) to accelerate the commercial release of vaccines for the African swine fever (ASF) and avian influenza.
He warned that without these critical interventions, the agriculture sector could continue to face difficulties, leading to further dependence on imports and jeopardizing the livelihood of domestic livestock and poultry producers.
“The growth of meat imports underscores the vulnerability of our agricultural sector. We must focus on increasing local productivity to ensure the sustainability of agriculture, which is the backbone of our economy, supporting more than 50 percent of the population,” Fausto said.
According to government records, a string of ASF outbreaks that started in July 2019 caused significant economic losses. In Batangas alone, over P100 million was reported, with at least 8,800 hogs either dead or culled as of end-July 2024. The ASF magnified supply constraints that lead to volatile and high pork prices, particularly during the Christmas season.
In response to the ASF, the DA spent P350 million for the procurement of 600,000 doses of the AVAC ASF live vaccine from Vietnam. The DA also started controlled vaccine administration to combat the spread of ASF. Agriculture Secretary Francisco P. Tiu Laurel emphasized the importance of finding a suitable vaccine to protect investments, revitalize backyard farms, and ensure food security.
Nevertheless, the ASF remains a significant challenge as the disease visited 76 of 82 provinces in the Philippines since the first outbreak in July 2019.
In summary, ASF continued to be a pervasive issue in the Philippines throughout 2024, causing substantial economic losses and prompting significant government interventions to control its spread and mitigate its impact on the swine industry.
As the country navigates this import surge, experts call for a balanced approach to protect local farmers and ensure food security, while reducing dependence on imported goods that undermine the potential of the local agri-business sector.
