The Department of Agriculture plans to raise pork tariffs in response to rising imports despite a domestic production recovery, dividing hog raisers and meat importers over the impact on consumer prices and farm livelihoods.
Proposed Pork Tariff Adjustments and Executive Orders
On Friday, Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. stated that the department is seeking higher tariffs because pork imports continue to climb even as domestic output recovers. The agency has proposed raising pork tariffs by 10 percentage points in 2027, bringing rates to 25 percent for imports within the minimum access volume and 35 percent for shipments outside it. These rates would then return to their pre-African swine fever levels of 30 percent and 40 percent, respectively, in 2028.
This proposal follows a series of executive orders signed by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to manage local supplies and inflation following production losses caused by African swine fever. To maintain lower tariffs on pork cuts through 2028, Marcos signed Executive Order 62 on June 20, 2024, establishing a most-favored-nation tariff of 15 percent for imports within the quota and 25 percent for those outside the quota. Subsequently, Marcos issued Executive Order 116 on May 19, 2026, raising the pork minimum access volume to 204,210 metric tons from 54,210 metric tons.
Tiu Laurel noted that the proposed tariff increase has already been discussed with Marcos. “Imports are also increasing this year, so we clearly have to support the growth of our hog industry. We have to do something about importation,” Tiu said.
Industry Divisions Between Hog Raisers and Meat Importers
Producers have welcomed the proposed tariff hikes, arguing that immediate intervention is necessary to protect local livelihoods. National Federation of Hog Farmers vice chairman Alfred Ng said producers pushed for the immediate restoration of pork tariffs during discussions with Secretary Tiu Laurel. “We discussed this with Secretary Tiu Laurel this week. We wanted the tariffs restored immediately, but importers also appear to have strong lobbying power,” Ng told The Manila Times on Saturday.
Ng explained that liveweight prices have fallen below production costs, leaving hog raisers, particularly backyard farmers, in urgent need of government support. “Raising tariffs is a step in the right direction. It will force importers to increase their prices and allow fresh local pork to compete more fairly,” he pointed out. Bureau of Animal Industry data showed that total meat imports reached 1.14 billion kilograms from January to August, with pork accounting for more than half of that total at 602.65 million kilograms, a 5.18 percent rise from 573.09 million kilograms a year earlier. Farmgate prices fell to P150 per kilogram in August 2026 from P215 per kilogram in June 2025.
Conversely, meat traders argue that higher tariffs will damage consumers and worsen inflation. Meat Importers and Traders Association president emeritus Jesus Cham warned that the tariff adjustment would create severe economic pressures. “This will be highly inflationary and severely affect consumers,” Cham said on Saturday. He added that domestic pork supply remains insufficient and is unlikely to return to pre-African swine fever levels within the next five to 10 years, warning that higher import costs will compel food processors and restaurants to raise prices or reduce portion sizes.
Did You Know? President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. issued Executive Order 116 on May 19, 2026, which significantly raised the pork minimum access volume from 54,210 metric tons to 204,210 metric tons in an effort to boost supply and contain prices.
Potential Economic Impacts and Regulatory Steps
In addition to tariff adjustments, producer representatives have called for stricter enforcement of trade rules. The National Meat Inspection Service was urged by Ng to step up its campaign against frozen pork kept in facilities lacking appropriate freezers.
Department of Agriculture proposes higher pork tariffs amid rising imports
Why is the Department of Agriculture proposing higher pork tariffs?
The DA is seeking higher tariffs because pork imports continue to rise despite a recovery in domestic production and a decline in prices received by farmers.
What are the specific tariff rates proposed for 2027 and 2028?
The agency proposed raising tariffs by 10 percentage points in 2027 to 25 percent for in-quota imports and 35 percent for out-of-quota imports. The rates would return to pre-African swine fever levels of 30 percent and 40 percent in 2028.
How do hog raisers and meat importers view the proposal?
Hog raisers welcome the proposal as a necessary measure to help local pork compete more fairly against imports. Meat importers warn that the policy will be highly inflationary, hurt consumers, and force food processors and restaurants to raise prices or reduce portions.
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