Philippines plans to suspend pork import permits as growers seek tariff protection

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Philippines suspends pork import permits

Highlights

Department of Agriculture plans to suspend sanitary and phytosanitary import clearances for pork from mid-November to January, with exemptions for meat processors.
Agriculture Secretary Francisco P. Tiu Laurel, Jr. supports restoring pork import tariffs to 30% for quota shipments and 40% for imports above quota, pending Tariff Commission approval.
Pork Producers Federation and Agricultural Sector Alliance are demanding a halt in live pig sales between Oct. 21 and 25 and protesting at the Department of Agriculture for stronger market protection.

Import clearance suspension and tariff push

As reported by BusinessWorld Online, the Department of Agriculture says it plans to suspend the issuance of sanitary and phytosanitary import clearances between mid-November and January to limit pressure from foreign pork suppliers during peak demand months. The agency says exemptions will be considered for meat processors when needed.

Agriculture Secretary Francisco P. Tiu Laurel, Jr. also says he supports restoring pork import tariffs to 30% for shipments within the minimum access volume quota and 40% for imports exceeding the quota. He says the department has started investigations in preparation for possible safeguard measures against pork imports, pending approval from the Tariff Commission.

Laurel says hog farmers are facing low farmgate prices because of competition from cheaper imported pork. The planned import permit suspension aligns with calls from farm groups for a 120-day halt on additional imports and a return to the earlier 30-40% tariff structure.

Pressure from producers and policy backdrop

The tariff debate follows policy changes introduced after the onset of African Swine Fever in 2021, when supply concerns led former President Rodrigo R. Duterte to lower pork import duties. That executive order cut tariffs for imports within the minimum access volume quota to 15% and for shipments above the quota to 25%.

President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. later extended the reduced tariff regime until 2028, subject to periodic review. Producer groups are now pressing for stronger protection, with the Pork Producers Federation of the Philippines, Inc. and the Agricultural Sector Alliance of the Philippines Party-list calling for a halt to the sale of live pigs between Oct. 21 and 25 and staging protests outside the Department of Agriculture headquarters.

Our earlier article on Malaysia’s review of enforcement for foreign product entry explained how the government is tightening coordination between ministries to ensure fair competition as overseas sellers gain ground, especially in digital trade. It also highlighted work on an e-Commerce Bill and the “Jom Beli Produk Malaysia” campaign, alongside funding aimed at helping local SMEs expand via digital platforms while safeguarding them from mounting competitive pressure.

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