The country’s meat imports reached 1.64 million metric tons (MT) last year, setting a new record as higher overseas purchases were made to meet domestic demand, according to the Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI).

The latest BAI data showed that the country imported 13 percent more meat than the previous record of 1.45 million MT recorded in 2024.

Pork imports, which accounted for half of the total volume, rose by 16 percent to 851,760 MT last year from 733,729 MT in the previous year.

The country primarily imported pork cuts, which reached 358,880 MT, followed by offals at 267,774 MT, and bellies at 113,197 MT.

According to BAI, chicken imports increased to 540,522 MT last year, nearly 15 percent higher than the 472,211 MT recorded a year earlier.

Imports of mechanically deboned meat (MDM)—used mainly for processed foods—were the leading variety, totaling 288,326 MT or 53 percent of overall chicken imports.

Beef imports also rose last year, with shipments reaching 204,436 MT, slightly higher than the 203,898 MT recorded in 2024.

Apart from these traditional protein sources, the country also increased buffalo meat imports by 12 percent to 42,503 MT from 37,795 MT a year earlier.

Lamb imports stood at 734 MT, up 12 percent from 653 MT, while duck imports more than tripled to 692 MT from 221 MT.

Turkey meat was the only protein category that declined, with shipments plunging to 220 MT from 1,345 MT a year earlier.

Based on BAI data, Brazil remained the country’s top source of imported meat, supplying 679,241 MT, or around 41 percent of the total volume.

The United States (US) ranked as the second-largest supplier at 261,477 MT, followed by Spain at 167,808 MT, Canada at 92,819 MT, and Australia at 81,127 MT.

The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) earlier reported that the Philippines is expected to rely more on imported meat as demand continues to outpace local production.

For pork in particular, the USDA noted that hog production has yet to fully recover from the impact of African swine fever (ASF), while population growth continues to fuel demand.

Last year, Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel attributed the rise in pork imports to the 25 percent tariff imposed on the product.

To curb excessive importation, Tiu Laurel said he would recommend restoring the pork import tariff to 40 percent as a way to protect hog raisers and help ease retail prices.

The lower 25-percent tariff rate was implemented in 2024, alongside tariff cuts on other agricultural products, under Executive Order (EO) No. 62.

Sought for comment, farmers’ group Samahang Industriya ng Agrikultura (SINAG) said the promise of tariff reduction has “failed miserably,” as prices remain elevated while farmgate prices stay low.

“Farmgate prices across major staples have fallen below production costs, pushing farmers deeper into losses, while retail prices remain high—leaving consumers with no relief from rising food costs,” SINAG executive director Jason Cainglet said in a Viber message.