Government urged to limit pork imports

MANILA, Philippines — Farmers group Samahang Industriya ng Agrikultura (SINAG) is pressing the government to cut pork imports to support local hog raisers and boost domestic production.

In an interview, SINAG chairman Rosendo So said pork imports this year should be cut to 550,000 metric tons from 850,000 MT, citing substantial oversupply due to carryover stock from earlier imports.

So noted that cold-storage facilities are full of imported pork, which importers are rushing to sell in the domestic market.

Last year, the country consumed 1.58 million MT of pork, while local production stood at just 1.06 million MT. Imports, meanwhile, exceeded 851,000 MT, according to the latest available industry data.

The surplus, So said, has pushed down prices for locally produced pork and discouraged farmers from rebuilding their swine herds.

He said imported dressed pork is now selling for around P80 to P100 per kilo, with better cuts priced at about P120 per kilo.

In contrast, locally produced pork goes for around P165 per kilo live weight, or about P206 per kilo after slaughter and dressing.

“If dressed imported pork can be bought at P120 per kilo and resold at P150, trader buyers and food outlets will naturally choose the cheaper imported product,” So said.

“Who will have the courage to repopulate their swine herds if they cannot earn a living?” he added.

By reducing imports, So said, local farmers would be encouraged to rebuild their swine herds and supply the domestic market.

“The government saw that situation with rice, so the same approach should be applied to pork,” the SINAG chairman stressed.

A four-month import ban was previously imposed on regular and well-milled rice to give the domestic market time to absorb local supply and help farmers sell their palay at fair and reasonable prices.

Furthermore, SINAG is urging the Department of Agriculture and other relevant agencies to reinstate higher tariffs on pork.

The group wants the previous tariff structure of 30 percent in-quota and 40 percent out-quota restored, replacing the current rates of 15 percent in-quota and 25 percent out-quota introduced in 2021.