MEAT and meat products imports rose about 2% in the first 10 months of 2019, the Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI) said.

Citing data from the BAI National Veterinary Quarantine Services Division (NVQSD) meat and meat products imports rose 1.9% year-on-year to 696.538 million kilos. Peak imports were recorded in October at 85.329 million kilos.

The 10 months data did not include duck and turkey meat.

Pork imports accounted for 287.774 million kilos, down 8% year-on-year. This was followed by chicken at 266.075 million kilos, up 15%, and beef at 115.473 million kilos, up 16%.

“Chicken is easy to produce in a short period of time. Retail shops and fast food chains have a high demand for chicken. Imported chicken offers a competitive price and assures (a) stable supply and format,” BAI Director Ronnie D. Domingo said in a text message when asked for comment. — Vincent Mariel P. Galang

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