Pork imports likely to expand next year – USDA

MANILA, Philippines — The entry of imported pork to the Philippines may increase by seven percent in 2027, with further growth likely tempered by higher domestic stocks, according to the US Department of Agriculture (USDA).

In its Livestock and Poultry: World Markets and Trade report, the USDA said the country may import up to 750,000 metric tons next year, higher than the 700,000 MT estimates for 2026.

The international agency noted that higher available pork stocks from exporters have softened international prices, causing major import markets like the Philippines, Japan and South Korea, to take advantage of higher pork meat supplies.

It added that larger domestic stocks from these importers could likely dampen purchases throughout the end of the year and into 2027, “leading to increasing competition among exporters.”

The international agency said pork exports from the European Union are forecast to decline to 2.95 million MT next year due to lower production and heightened competition in major export markets.

The country has imported 602,655 MT as of August, according to data from the Bureau of Animal Industry.

Local hog producers have warned that the influx of imported pork has caused the continued decline of farmgate prices, causing farmers to face mounting income losses.

Last week, industry groups the Samahang Industriya ng Agrikultura, National Federation of Hog Farmers Inc., United Batangas Swine Raisers Inc., among other organizations, have called to raise pork tariffs to 30 percent for in-quota and 40 percent for out-quota.

The industry groups noted that farmgate prices for live hogs have plummeted to a range of P90 to P120 per kilo, while feed prices continue to climb.