Philippines to expand meat imports this year

The United Nations' Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) forecasts that the Philippines' meat imports will rise to 1.09 million tons in 2021, an increase from the previous year's 1.045 million tons, due to low pork import tariffs and heightened meat demand. Pork imports are projected to reach 393,000 tons, up from 388,000 tons in the previous year, and beef imports are expected to increase to 205,000 tons from 192,000 tons. Additionally, the country's dairy product imports are anticipated to grow from 2.323 million tons to 2.49 million tons, showing a 7.2% increase year-on-year. Furthermore, global poultry trade is expected to see a marginal growth of 1.5% from 16.078 million tons to 16.312 million tons, with the Philippines being one of the major importers, alongside the United States, Malaysia, Iraq, the European Union, and South Africa.