PHL becomes biggest buyer of Brazil pork

By Vonn Andrei E. Villamiel, Reporter

THE PHILIPPINES has overtaken China as the largest buyer of pork and pork products from Brazil, according to the US Department of Agriculture (USDA).

In a report, the USDA said Brazilian pork exports to the Philippines rose 56.6% last year to 433,595 metric tons (MT) in carcass-weight equivalent.

The shipments to the Philippines accounted for 25.3% of Brazil’s total pork exports during the year, making the country the top destination for Brazilian pork products.

The USDA also reported that Brazil supplied more than 66% of all pork and pork product imports to the Philippines in 2025.

“Analysts report that the reason for the increased exports to the Philippines is related to their economic and population growth, as well as challenges in the domestic industry related to animal disease,” the USDA said.

The Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI) earlier reported that meat imports rose 13.38% to a record 1.64 million MT in 2025, with pork imports up 16.09% to 851,760 MT.

The BAI said other major pork suppliers to the Philippines included Spain, Canada, and the Netherlands.