PH imposes 60-day pork import curbs as local raisers lose P28B

The Department of Agriculture (DA) has imposed a 60-day restriction on pork imports after a preliminary investigation found that rising foreign shipments have seriously injured the domestic hog industry.

DA estimates that producers lost P27.9 billion from January to July this year, and this could double to P55.8 billion by yearend if weak prices persist, while industry submissions point to potential losses of as much as P100 billion.

Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. on November 7 signed DA Department Order (DO) No. 33 series of 2026, authorizing a provisional safeguard measure under Republic Act 8800, or the Safeguard Measures Act. The action follows a surge in pork imports even as local producers grapple with depressed prices, excess inventories, and the lingering effects of African Swine Fever (ASF), DA said.

In its investigation, DA found that pork imports climbed 42% from 589,675 metric tons (MT) in 2023 to 836,240 MT in 2025. Imports also accounted for an increasing share of domestic production, rising from 39% in 2021 to 61% in 2025, and 65% in the first half of 2026.

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