Philippines Eyes Higher Pork Tariffs Amid Import Surge

The Department of Agriculture (DA) said it is studying higher tariffs on imported pork in response to increasing imports. At a briefing, Arnel V. de Mesa, DA spokesman and assistant secretary for special concerns and official development assistance, told reporters that a decision on tariff adjustments could take place by the end of 2028. Mr. de Mesa noted that the tariff on imports within the minimum access volume quota is 15%, while shipments exceeding the quota are charged 25%. These tariff levels are in force until 2028. He cited the possibility tariffs will be restored to their original levels of 30% within the quota and 40% beyond the quota by 2029. Jayson H. Cainglet, executive director of the Samahang Industriya ng Agrikultura, called for the restoration of pork import tariffs, calling the surge in pork imports unprecedented, with a negative impact on the hog industry. Citing the Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI), Mr. Cainglet noted that hog raisers are currently receiving farmgate prices of P130 to P145 per kilogram after pork imports hit 602.66 million kilograms in August. “The continued policy of increasing imports and reducing tariffs has failed to deliver the promised benefits to consumers,” Mr. Cainglet said in a statement. “Instead, it has placed greater pressure on domestic producers, depressed farmgate prices, discouraged investment in hog production, and weakened the country’s capacity to produce its own food,” he added. The BAI reported meat imports of 1.14 billion kilograms in the first eight months, up 7.6% from a year earlier, with pork the largest import category. Pork shipments rose 5.2% year on year to 602.66 million kilograms. — Marron Joshua F. Mendoza