Meat imports on track for record high
Despite greater inbound cargos of meat in the first half of 2026, various market challenges such as weaker consumer demand, port congestion and a weaker peso could affect imports in the coming months, according to an industry group.
Asked in an interview if imports were on track to reach a record high this year, Jesus Cham, president emeritus of the Meat Importers and Traders Association (MITA) president emeritus Jesus Cham said: “If you look at the month-on-month [and] year-on-year [data], it looks that way.”
Meat imports totaled 872.27 million kilograms in the January to June period, up 12.1 percent from 778.1 million kg in the same period a year ago, data from the Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI) showed.
The first-semester figure is equivalent to more than 53 percent of the 1.64 billion kg of meat imported in 2025.
“But several things happened early this year. We have the Iran war then we have the further depreciation [of the peso] after the corruption scandal. Then, we have the wage increase. Then, of course, the increased cost of transport, logistics, utilities,” Cham said.
Cham said many importers are losing money due to depressed wholesale prices even as retailers have kept their prices relatively stable.
“Many importers are losing money, although on the retail side, the retail sector is holding up. They are still able to keep their prices up,” he told reporters, adding that the food service sector using imported meat managed to maintain their portion sizes.
Cham said meat traders are also grappling with the persistent port congestion since the peak season late last year.
