Dairy imports grow 2% in first semester

MANILA, Philippines — The country’s dairy imports increased by two percent to over 1.7 million metric tons in liquid milk equivalent (MT-LME) in the first half of 2026, according to the National Dairy Authority (NDA).

The latest NDA report showed the country’s dairy imports in the first six months of the year reached 1.76 million MT-LME, up from 1.72 million MT-LME in the same period last year.

Imported dairy continued to account for the majority of available supply during the first semester, comprising about 98.58 percent, while local production only made up about 1.42 percent of total dairy supply.

“Changes were also observed in the composition of dairy imports during the period,” the NDA said.

Imports of skim milk powder during the six-month period increased by five percent to 713,270 MT-LME from the 675,250 MT-LME last year. SMP was the top imported dairy product, accounting for 40 percent of total.

Other dairy imports expanded by five percent to 713,810 MT-LME from 681,860 MT-LME, amounting to more than 40 percent of all imports.

Making up more than three percent, ready-to-drink liquid milk imports rose by 21 percent to 66,650 MT-LME during the six-month period from 55,160 MT-LME in 2025.

Meanwhile, other milk imports in powder form, including whole milk and buttermilk, declined by 6.5 percent year-on-year to 269,940 MT-LME from 316,360 MT-LME during the same period last year. It accounted for 15 percent of all imports.

In terms of value, total dairy imports in the first semester were logged at P46.26 billion, a seven percent increase from last year’s P43.26 billion.

“The large gap between local production and total dairy requirements underscores the continuing challenge of import dependence,” the NDA said.

The agency added that it will continue to sustain its herd build-up efforts, along with improving animal productivity, strengthening feed and forage systems, enhancing farm-level efficiency and expanding dairy value chain infrastructure.