Philippines Faces Surge in Pork Imports Amid Local Industry Struggles

The Philippine hog industry is currently facing significant challenges as pork imports are projected to exceed 1 billion kilograms (kg) this year, according to the farmers' group Samahang Industriya ng Agrikultura (Sinag). This surge in imports is raising alarms about the potential adverse effects on local hog producers, who are still recovering from the impacts of African Swine Fever (ASF) and other economic pressures.

The Philippine Swine Institute (PSI) has called for a thorough reassessment of the country’s pork import policy, emphasizing the need for a broader perspective on food security and investment. PSI officials have noted that the increasing reliance on imported pork could undermine the long-term recovery of the domestic hog industry unless measures are implemented to restore producer confidence and competitiveness. They argue that the current situation is not merely about the price comparison between imported and locally produced pork, but rather about creating favorable market conditions for Filipino hog raisers to rebuild their operations.

“Repopulation without profitability is not sustainable.”Philippine Swine Institute

Official data indicates that the country’s swine inventory has stagnated, with only a slight increase from approximately 8.75 million to 8.79 million heads between 2024 and 2025. Concurrently, domestic pork production has declined from about 1.411 million metric tons (MT) in 2024 to 1.377 million MT in 2025, a decrease of roughly 2.4 percent. In stark contrast, pork imports rose from around 733.73 million kg in 2024 to 891 million kg in 2025, marking a significant increase.

Senator Imee Marcos has been vocal in her criticism of Executive Order No. 116, which significantly increased the Minimum Access Volume (MAV) for pork imports from 54,210 MT to 204,210 MT. She contends that the rationale behind this policy is flawed, pointing out that inflation is primarily driven by the prices of rice, corn, fish, and vegetables, rather than pork. Marcos highlighted that the influx of imported pork has led to a decrease in farmgate prices for local hogs, which fell from ₱170 (approximately $3.00) per kg last year to ₱165 (about $2.95) this year.

“Increasing the MAV is unnecessary and counterproductive; it will only undermine local production.”Eric Harina, President, ProPork

ProPork, an umbrella organization representing independent hog farmers, has echoed similar sentiments, arguing that while they are not opposed to importation, flooding the market with imported pork during a time of recovery for the local industry is detrimental. They warn that such policies could bankrupt smallholder farmers and exacerbate the country's dependence on imports. ProPork's president, Eric Harina, stated that increasing the MAV is unnecessary and counterproductive, as it will only undermine local production.

The PSI has called for a more integrated national pork-supply monitoring system that would link data from various government agencies, providing a near-real-time overview of domestic production, import arrivals, and market prices. This system is seen as essential for ensuring that import policies do not inadvertently create a structural dependence on imported pork, which could further weaken the domestic industry.

“The rationale behind EO 116 is flawed. The primary causes of inflation are rice, corn, fish, and vegetables, not pork.”Senator Imee Marcos

As the government pursues initiatives to repopulate the hog industry, PSI emphasizes that restoring economic conditions conducive to investment and production is crucial. They assert that without profitability, efforts to increase the number of pigs will not be sustainable. The organization advocates for a balanced approach where imports serve to fill genuine supply gaps while ensuring that domestic producers are incentivized to expand and modernize.

In conclusion, the current dynamics of the Philippine pork market highlight the delicate balance between ensuring food security for consumers and supporting the recovery of local producers. As the debate continues, stakeholders are urging the government to prioritize policies that foster a sustainable and competitive domestic hog industry.