Duterte Increases Pork Imports’ Minimum Access Volume amid Shortage

Pres. Duterte Implements Increase on MAV for Pork Imports

DUTERTE – Philippine President Rodrigo Roa Duterte increased the Minimum Access Volume (MAV) for pork imports amid the shortage in the supply.

The Philippines is currently facing multiple big problems. Aside from the COVID-19 pandemic which cost a lot of lives, shaken the healthcare system of the Philippines, and negatively affected the economy, the country is also facing outbreaks of the African Swine Flu.

The said ASF outbreak led to the shortage of pork supply in the Philippines. The said disease which is fatal to hogs was logged in 473 municipalities.

Based on a report of ABS-CBN News, President Rodrigo Roa Duterte released the Executive Order 133 increasing the minimum access volume for pork imports in the Philippines. It is stated in the said order that the swine inventory of the Philippines is down by three (3) million heads.

In his order, the President also cited that the pork shortage is at around 388,790 metric tons (MT). According to him, the Congress did not make an action towards his request to raise the MAV on pork imports in the Philippines. He stressed the need for an immediate address to the supply gap in the pork meat now.

Based on the report, Pres. Duterte increased the MAV of pork imports from 54,210 MT to 254,210 MT. In the said order, it is stated that the MAV balance in 2021 will not be carried over in 2022.

The President wants the consumers to be provided with affordable and adequate food and to lower the inflation in the Philippines. Reportedly, the President has previously reduced the tariffs on pork imports but some of the senators are not in favor it.

Recently, Pres. Duterte declared a State of Calamity in the Philippines due to the ASF outbreak. Local governments can move to help arrest the outbreak and address the needs of the people.

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