MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Agriculture (DA) is calling for a step-by-step restoration of import tariffs on pork back to pre-African swine fever (ASF) rates to cushion local hog raisers from declining farmgate prices.
The initiative follows a consultation on Thursday between the DA and livestock industry leaders, who pressed the government to step in as local swine prices continue to drop.
Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. confirmed that he has presented the recommendation to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and formally submitted a request to the Tariff Commission.
“Clearly, we have to support ‘yung growth ng ating hog industry. So, we have to do something about importation,” Tiu Laurel said.
“Ang final common recommendation natin at isusulong natin hangga’t kaya ay ‘yung pag-increase ng taripa ng baboy.”
According to Tiu Laurel, the agency’s initial proposal involves raising the pork import duty from 25 percent to 35 percent.
“Then by Jan. 1, hopefully 40 percent, back to dating rate. So, that alone can help,” he added.
Local farmgate swine prices dropped to ₱150 per kilogram in August, marking a sharp decline from the ₱215 per kilogram recorded in June 2025.
In addition to rate adjustments, the DA is advocating for the establishment of a separate tariff classification for frozen pork jowls. The item has seen a surge in import volume due to lower duty rates, creating stiff market competition for domestic pork products across retail outlets and food service establishments.
Industry leaders present at the dialogue—including Pork Producers Federation of the Philippines President Eric Harina, Samahang Industriya ng Agrikultura President Rosendo So, National Federation of Hog Farmers Vice-Chairperson Alfred Ng, and AGAP Party-list Representative Nicanor Briones—also recommended temporary quantitative limits, local transport permits, mandatory testing for imported frozen meat, stricter classification checks, and revised reference values to prevent undervaluation.