FAO tags PHL as key driver of global meat market

THE Philippines was among the countries that drove growth in global meat shipments in 2025, citing its strong demand and constrained domestic supply, the United Nations’ Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) said.

In its meat market review, the FAO reported that the global meat trade grew 3.4% to 43.4 million metric tons (MMT) in 2025, supported by robust import demand despite tight availability, animal disease outbreaks, and shifting trade policies.

The FAO said imports declined in major markets such as China and Japan, with the shortfall offset by higher purchases from countries that included the Philippines.

The Philippines was identified as the second-largest contributor to the growth in global pig meat import demand, reflecting continued constraints in domestic production due to African Swine Fever (ASF).

The FAO estimated that Philippine pork production declined 2.46% to 1.38 MMT in 2025, while imports rose 22.05% to 620,000 metric tons.

Overall, meat imports into the Philippines increased to 1.51 MMT in 2025, up 15.33%, which was accompanied by a modest increase in domestic meat production to 3.39 MMT.

Globally, the pork trade expanded 2.3% to 10.02 MMT in 2025, the FAO said. — Vonn Andrei E. Villamiel