Beef and buffalo meat market in the Philippines

Earlier Report Observations

In 2018, the Philippine beef and buffalo meat market reached 332.8 thousand tons, supported by government initiatives like the National Livestock Program aimed at increasing livestock production and the enforcement of the Meat Inspection Code to ensure food safety and market access. The onset of the African Swine Fever (ASF) outbreak in 2019 and higher global meat prices indirectly influenced market dynamics, contributing to a slight decline to 325.8 thousand tons. A sharp contraction to 291.2 thousand tons in 2020 was directly driven by the COVID-19 pandemic, which caused logistical disruptions, reduced demand, and supply chain constraints, leading authorities to extend the validity of sanitary import permits to sustain meat availability.

The market rebounded to 332.2 thousand tons in 2021, facilitated by the continued use of streamlined import procedures established during the pandemic and legislative support for domestic livestock development. Growth accelerated to 359.0 thousand tons in 2022, propelled by increased imports eased by the maintained 90-day validity for sanitary permits and promotional efforts for buffalo meat as a viable alternative. However, volume fell to 323.3 thousand tons in 2023 due to price hikes triggered by the El Niño weather phenomenon and persistent ASF effects, which dampened consumer purchasing power, alongside stricter enforcement against illegal meat trade that affected market supply.

Production beef and buffalo meat in the Philippines

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of beef and buffalo meat, 2017-2020

World map of production of beef and buffalo meat, 2017-2020

Beef and buffalo meat production in the Philippines has declined for three consecutive years. In 2020, the country produced 174.8 K t, which represents a 12.9% decrease compared to the previous year. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production fell by 26.7%, translating to an average annual decline of 9.8%.

Annual dynamics of production in the Philippines in kind, 2017-2020, K t

Exports beef and buffalo meat from the Philippines

Exports in kind, K t

Beef and buffalo meat exports from the Philippines have increased for the second year in a row. In 2020, the Philippines exported 0.1 K t, showing a sharp rise of 127.2% from 2019. Between 2018 and 2020, exports grew by 144.6%, with an annualized growth rate of 34.7%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from the Philippines in kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, the Philippines' beef and buffalo meat exports were concentrated in two main destinations: Brunei Darussalam, which accounted for 75.4% of total flows, and India, with 24.6%. Together, these two countries made up 100.0% of all exports.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from the Philippines in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, M $ US

Beef and buffalo meat exports from the Philippines have risen for the second consecutive year. In 2020, exports totaled 0.2 M $ US, reflecting a significant increase of 286.5% compared to 2019. Over the 2018-2020 period, exports surged by 300%, with a compound annual growth rate of 58.7%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from the Philippines in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

During 2017-2020, the value of beef and buffalo meat exports from the Philippines was highly concentrated, with Brunei Darussalam and India jointly accounting for 100.0% of total flows.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from the Philippines in value, 2017-2020

Imports beef and buffalo meat to the Philippines

Imports in kind, K t

Beef and buffalo meat imports into the Philippines have declined for two consecutive years. In 2020, import volume reached 116.5 K t, marking a 6.9% decrease from 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, imports fell by 9.1%, equating to an average annual decline of 3.1%. The highest import volume was recorded in 2018 at 129.6 K t, which also saw the largest increase of 1.1%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to the Philippines in kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, the main sources for beef and buffalo meat imports into the Philippines were India (29.8% of imports), Australia (22.1%), and Brazil (21.2%). Together, these three countries accounted for 73.1% of total imports, making them the primary suppliers.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to the Philippines in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, M $ US

Beef and buffalo meat imports into the Philippines have decreased for the second year in a row. In 2020, imports were recorded at 386.0 M $ US, showing a moderate reduction of 6.9% year-over-year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports declined by 4.6%, with a compound annual growth rate of -1.6%. The peak value occurred in 2018 at 439.3 M $ US, which also experienced the largest increase of 8.5%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to the Philippines in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

In 2017-2020, three key markets—Australia, India, and Brazil—collectively represented 71.9% of the total value of beef and buffalo meat imports into the Philippines.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to the Philippines in value, 2017-2020