PHILIPPINE PORK imports from Brazil hit record levels in 2024 as Brazilian producers sought alternative markets in the face of weak Chinese demand, the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) reported.
Brazilian pork shipments to the Philippines rose 101% year on year in 2024, the USDA said in a report on the global pork trade.
It said the China market, which accounted for 55% of Brazilian pork exports in 2020, “steadily” declined to 18% in 2024 — “driven by weaker China import demand, stemming from China’s slowdown in economic growth and rebound in domestic pork production.”
Brazil became heavily committed to the China market in 2020 and 2021 as Chinese production suffered from outbreaks of African Swine Fever (ASF).
“Brazil more than offset those losses with higher shipments to the Philippines, Chile, and Japan,” the report said.
Among Brazil’s top five export markets, the Philippine shipment growth was second only to that of Japan at 133%.
Chinese pork imports from Brazil fell 40% while those of Hong Kong declined 17%.
Brazil is expected to gain market share in price-sensitive markets as tariffs and animal health issues shift market dynamics in 2025, according to the report.
It cited ASF outbreaks that continue to affect swine production in the Philippines, Vietnam, and South Korea.
“This year, China has imposed retaliatory tariffs on both Canada and the US, which are expected to decrease demand for pork from both countries,” it added.
The growth in Brazilian meat exports is largely due to its ability to switch markets quickly as a result of new market access and its position as a low-cost pork supplier, the report said.
In 2024, Brazil gained access to 17 new pork export markets and exported pork to over 100 different countries.
“Despite increasing pork export prices through much of 2024, Brazil pork remains at a significant discount compared to other major exporters,” the USDA said.
“This price competitiveness will boost sales to several markets, including Japan, which is forecast to be the second-largest importer globally in 2025, behind Mexico,” it added.
Philippine meat imports hit 99.681 million kilograms (kg) in February from 137.999 million in January.
Global pork production is forecast to increase 2% in 2025 to 105.8 million MT on gains by all major producers, including the US, the European Union, Brazil, Turkey, and China.
Meanwhile, the USDA said firm demand from key markets such as the Philippines, the US, and Chile is likely to drive Brazil’s beef and veal exports to record levels in 2025.
It said Philippine beef and veal imports rose to 276,000 metric tons (MT) in 2024 from 197,000 MT in 2023, and may increase to 285,000 MT in April 2025.
Philippine beef imports in February rose to 12.490 million kg from 10,824 million a year earlier, according to government data. — Kyle Aristophere T. Atienza
