The American Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines (AmCham) has expressed opposition to the allocation of import volume under the expanded minimum access volume (MAV) for pork shipments, warning that it could disrupt supply chains and affect retail prices.

In a statement on Friday, June 5, AmCham said the allocation guidelines for the MAV policy represent an abrupt change that threatens to undermine investor confidence and the country’s food security.

“While we support the policy’s objectives, AmCham expresses deep concern regarding the recently issued MAV allocation guidelines,” the chamber said.

President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. signed Executive Order (EO) No. 116 last month, increasing the MAV for pork imports to 204,210 metric tons (MT) from 54,210 MT.

The expansion is expected to address the existing supply gap in pork and help ease inflationary pressures on retail prices.

Under the MAV system, imported pork within the quota is subject to a 15-percent tariff, while imports outside the quota face a higher 25-percent rate.

Under EO 116, the additional 150,000 MT is allocated to meat processors (30,000 MT) and either state-run Food Terminal Inc. (FTI) or the Kadiwa ng Pangulo Program (120,000 MT).

Of the original 54,210 MT allocation, meat processors receive 50 percent, government trading enterprises receive 20 percent, and the remaining 30 percent goes to other qualified MAV licensees, including local meat importers.

The allocation forms part of an earlier amendment to the MAV system introduced by the Department of Agriculture (DA) to promote greater competition in the market and curb the influence of large importers on retail prices.

AmCham said the recalibration of the allocation framework introduces “severe unpredictability” for established and compliant importers.

“Over decades, these operators have invested heavily in the country’s critical agricultural infrastructure, including specialized logistics and cold-storage networks, ensuring the safe and efficient nationwide distribution of food,” AmCham said.

“Sudden disruptions to these synchronized supply chains risk creating unintended market instability, which could inadvertently impact the availability and price of pork for regular consumers,” it added.

The foreign chamber said that while it supports efforts to eliminate systemic abuse, reforms must remain predictable, proportionate, and data-driven.

To this end, AmCham said it supports the House Committee on Agriculture and Food’s appeal to the government to temporarily suspend the implementation of the new MAV guidelines.

“This will allow for a rigorous, collaborative review to ensure that final implementation mechanics protect both immediate consumer welfare and long-term market stability,” the chamber said.

Earlier, Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. said the DA is still drafting the implementing rules and regulations (IRR) for the MAV policy.

He said the agency would continue consultations with hog raisers, meat processors, and lawmakers to craft the IRR in a manner that does not undermine local production.

“EO 116 is not self-executing. The IRR will ensure that the interests of consumers, hog raisers, importers, and other stakeholders are properly balanced,” Tiu Laurel said in a statement.