MEAT IMPORTS REACH NEAR RECORD-HIGH VOLUME

The Philippines’ meat imports surged 12.64% year-on-year from January to September, hitting 1.039 million metric tons (MT), just 165,000 MT short of 2023’s total volume. Pork imports rose nearly 13%, while chicken imports increased by 6.43%, driven by higher demand for mechanically deboned meat. Beef imports saw the largest growth at 35%, reflecting rising consumer preference. Despite the higher import volumes, retail prices have remained high due to market dynamics. Pork liempo now costs between ₱330 to ₱400 per kilo, and whole chicken ranges from ₱140 to ₱210 per kilo.