Meat imports for the first four months (until April) leapt by 11.3 percent, or 397 million kilograms of meat, as importers are anticipating higher global prices, a weaker peso and lower hog production due to El Nino.
Records from the Bureau of Animal Industry– which processes and releases the sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) import clearances– showed that this year’s 1st four months imports surpassed last year’s same period imports of 356 million kilograms
For April alone, imports rose by 35.6 percent at 122.74 million kilograms.
Shipments of pork increased 17.99 percent to 193.15 million kilos during the period, accounting for 48.73 percent of the total.
“Importers are likely positioning in anticipation of higher prices abroad, a weaker peso, as well as lower hog production due to El Niño. It is noteworthy that offal volume decreased, perhaps indicating greater attractiveness of pork meat at the current import duty rate,” said Jesus Cham, president emeritus of the Meat Importers and Traders Association (MITA) to Business World.
The National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) Board has approved a medium-term plan to lower tariffs on agricultural and industrial products. This included the extension of the reduced-tariff regime on pork imports.
Pork tariffs were retained at 15 percent for shipments within the minimum access volume and 25 percent for those exceeding the quota.
He added that as most imports are contracted three months in advance, “We will see how in the next few months how it will affect imports.”
Top suppliers
Spain supplied around 50.9 million kilos of pork, followed by Brazil (44.4 million kilos), and Canada (26.2 million kilos) during the period.
Shipments of chicken totaled 134.47 million kilos in the four months to April.
Shipments rose 2.41 percent, making up 33.9 percent of meat imports.
Brazil remained the top supplier of chicken with shipments of 70.5 million kilos, followed by the US (46.6 million kilos), and Australia (5.4 million kilos).
“This probably shows the continued demand for lower priced chicken,” Cham said.
Making up 13 percent of total imports, beef shipments increased 21.9 percent during the period to 51.53 million kilos.
“The high retail price of pork is pushing consumers toward mid-range beef,” he added.
Beef from Brazil amounted to 17.2 million kilos, followed by Australia (16.1 million), and Ireland (5.1 million).
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