Decline in Philippine Meat Imports Amidst Global Trade Shifts

The Philippines has seen a notable decrease in meat imports in 2023, reflecting a broader trend in global meat trade. According to the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), the Philippines’ overall meat imports are estimated to have reduced by 8.1% from the previous year, reaching 1.09 million metric tons (MT). This reduction is part of a slight global decline in meat trade, projected to decrease by 0.6% to 39.79 million MT.

The decrease in Philippine meat imports is attributed to a combination of higher domestic production, increased inventory, and extended reduced tariff rates on pig meat. Specifically, the bovine meat shipment in the Philippines is projected to fall by 21.5% to 186,000 MT. This decline is primarily due to increased domestic production, accumulated stocks, and relatively higher prices compared to other meat proteins, compounded by reduced consumer purchasing power due to rising inflation.

In contrast, pork importation is expected to decline by 13.7% to 428,000 MT, primarily due to rising national inventories and increasing domestic availability. However, global poultry imports are expected to rise slightly by 0.75%, with the Philippines also anticipating an increase due to high demand for lower-cost meat products and active food service sales.

Data from the Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI) corroborates these trends. As of end-October 2023, the Philippines’ overall meat imports had dropped by nearly 10% to 1.13 billion kilos, with a 16.94% decrease in pork shipments and a 20.95% decline in beef imports. Conversely, chicken imports, the second most imported meat product, rose by 9.63%, while duck imports more than tripled compared to the same period last year.

These figures indicate a shift in the Philippines’ meat consumption patterns, likely influenced by various economic factors, including inflation and domestic production changes. The decrease in meat imports, particularly in pork and beef, suggests a potential move towards self-reliance in meat production and a reevaluation of import dependencies in the face of global economic shifts.