WASHINGTON – The National Pork Producers Council (NPPC) lauded the decision by Philippine trade officials to allow the resumption of US pork exports into the country.

“Since 2019, the Philippines has been battling African swine fever (ASF), and as a result, domestic production has declined, supplies have tightened, and pork prices have spiked,” said Jen Sorenson, NPPC president. “While we are saddened by the spread of ASF in the Philippines, we appreciate the opportunity to send more high-quality US pork to ease the shortage and the spike in prices.”

Tariffs for the imported pork under the increased minimum access volume (MAV) of 404,210 tonnes would be reduced from 30% to 5% for the next three months of the deal before shifting to 10% after that. Tariffs for imported pork above the MAV would be reduced from 40% to 15% for the next three months, and then increase to 20% thereafter. The reductions would be in effect for one year.

NPPC said it had been pressing both the US and Philippines government to lower pork import tariffs since the ASF outbreaks started in the Philippines. The association recently met with Philippine Ambassador to the United States, Jose Manuel Romualdez.

During 2020, the US exported 49,660 tonnes of pork worth $121 million to the country. The expanded market access is expected to generate significantly more US pork exports to the Philippines. NPPC officials believe pork consumption will continue to increase as the economy grows in the Asian country.

“The Asia-Pacific region is the fastest growing economic region of the world with significant opportunities for US pork exports,” the association said. “NPPC will continue to advocate for the United States to rejoin the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) trade agreement.”