Meat Imports Increased by 5% In Last Five Months

The Bureau of Animal Industry’s data shows that from January to May 2022, the Philippines imported a total of 460.9 million kilos of meat and meat products. This number is higher compared to the same period last year which only registered 439.99 million kilos imported. 

This marks a 4.8% increase in the year’s first five months. The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) reports that under the extended reduced tariffs on pork imports or Executive Order 171, pork imports in the Philippines are predicted to reach 400,000 metric tons (MT) or 400 million kilos this year. 

Executive Order 171 allows for the extension of the lowered tariffs on pork under Executive Order 134 which was signed in 2021. This was with the intention of stabilizing the pork supply in the country and targeting to bring prices down. 

Executive Order 134 lowered the most favored nation (MFN) tariff rates for in-quota pork imports or those that fall under the minimum access volume (MAV) to 10% for three months, then eventually increased to 15%. The original rate of MAV was previously set at 30%. 

On the other hand, our quota pork imports were imposed with a 20% tariff in the first three months and then subsequently increased to 25%. The imposed tariffs are lower than the original figure which was 40%.

With Executive Order 171, the in-quota 15% and the out-quota 25% tariff rates will be extended until December 31, 2022. 

Aside from pork imports, chicken also makes up a sizable amount of the total number of meat imports, accounting for 28.3% or 130.5 million kilos. The number of imported chicken in the last months is lower than the numbers of the same period last year which stood at 136.8 million kilos. This translates to a 4.57% decrease.

Source: Philstar