British Chamber believes British pork exports could assist with local pork shortage

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Agriculture Assistant Secretary Arnel de Mesa reported on Tuesday the projected shortage of local pork supply due to the rising demand for local pork products for the upcoming holiday season in the Philippines.

Chris Nelson, the British Chamber of Commerce Philippines executive director/trustee, believes that British pork exports could help assist the shortage while also addressing the inflation and food security issues in the country.  

The UK exports to the Philippines have increased up to  £1.3 billion with meat being among the top five exported goods this year.

In line with this is the British Chamber’s advocacy in leveraging the Philippine market through further improving its agricultural sector, highlighting the Anti-Agricultural Smuggling Act which addresses the issue of illegal distribution of goods to protect the consumers and the local market and the extension of lowered tariffs to address inflation, food supply and food security. 

“The British Chamber has witnessed substantial growth in British pork which greatly helps in dealing with inflation and food insecurity. Also, it is necessary to help with the increasing global market demand and supply. We will continue to increase our efforts, in fact, we also partnered with the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board (AHDB) and we’re looking to do another event here at the end of the year to establish long-term relations with the importers and support the Philippine market,” Nelson said.  

Previously, the British Chamber launched trade missions in May and December 2022 and worked closely with the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board to introduce UK meat exporters to the local market and other business and investment opportunities.

Meanwhile, a year-end gathering in collaboration with AHDB together with the Philippine meat importers is set to commence on November 30, targeting to encourage the extension of reducing tariffs on pork, in hopes of also addressing the projected shortage of local pork supply by the end of the year which demands importation.

This event aims to introduce business opportunities to the UK meat exporters while also upholding the interest of Philippine meat importers and establishing partnership to boost the foreign investment in the country.