DENVER — The Philippines extended a reduction on pork import tariffs through the end of 2024, according to the US Meat Export Federation (USMEF).

The reduced pork tariffs were first implemented in 2021 in an effort to stabilize pork supplies as the Philippines recovered from African swine fever (ASF). The rates were set to expire at the end of 2023 but have been extended another year.

“I think the key here is to make pork protein raw material more available to the average consumer in the sense of improving food security and bolstering the consumption,” said Dan Halstrom, USMEF president and chief executive officer.

Halstrom noted that duty rates are now 15% for in-quota imports, down from the normal rate of 30%, and 25% for out-of-quota imports, which is down from the normal 40%.

“While this is good news, still, even at these lower rates, it’s still a relatively high duty,” he said.

USMEF is hopeful that the Philippines will eventually offer longer-term tariff relief.

“South Korea and Colombia are good examples of countries that started out with very high duties for inbound pork,” Halstrom said. “Now, they’re much lower or duty free, and we’re seeing a situation there where industry is expanding — per capita consumption has grown over time. And that has benefited the domestic pork in both South Korea and Colombia. At the same time, imports have been booming.”