RP importing 300,000 MT of feedwheat this year

MANILA, Philippines -  The Philippines is importing another 300,000 metric tons of feedwheat from August to December this year, on top of the 800,000 MT imported from January to July this year, according to statistics gathered from the Philippine Association of Feedmillers.

The 1.1 million MT importation this year is the same amount imported last year, indicating a continued low demand from feedmillers.

Feedmillers had been hoping for a recovery in the livestock and poultry sector this year, projecting a feedwheat importation of 1.5 MMT for a projected feed production of five MMT.

Feedwheat is an alternative raw material in the production of animal feeds. Corn is usually the primary raw ingredient, but feedwheat is a cheaper alternative as a protein source.

However, the importation of feedwheat has always been a sore point with local corn growers, who complain that the continued importation of feedwheat depresses local corn prices.

Feedmillers, on the other hand, argue that with the high cost of production, they have to use other more cost-effective raw materials.

In the hog sector, producers admit that production remains lower as the backyard sector has not fully recovered.

The decline in hog production has not been noticeable in terms of consumer demand, pork producers explain, because consumer demand for pork also remains weak.

However, with the holiday season coming up, demand is expected to pick up.

Hog producers are, thus, urging the government to help distribute piglets to backyard farmers in preparation for the possible pick up in demand by December.