The Philippines announced a 60-day suspension of pork imports from Brazil and other suppliers while investigating whether imports are harming its domestic industry. (Foto: Instagram)
The Philippine government announced on Monday, Nov. 9, a 60-day suspension of pork imports from Brazil and every other country supplying the Philippine market. Brazil is one of the Philippines’ main pork suppliers and is concerned the measure could have a greater impact on its exports.
The provisional restriction follows a safeguard investigation opened by the Philippine government into whether rising pork imports are harming the domestic industry. The country’s Department of Agriculture Trade Remedies Office said the measure could take effect this week. Brazil is monitoring developments in the investigation.
The Philippine government said imports from 2021 through August 2026 had caused “serious and substantial injury” to the domestic pork industry. It also cited critical circumstances requiring immediate intervention, saying any delay could cause irreparable damage to the sector. The measure covers nine tariff classifications for pork products, including fresh, chilled and frozen meat, as well as offal.
Some Brazilian government officials, speaking on condition of anonymity, expressed concern about the decision. At the same time, they believe private exporters may be able to redirect pork shipments to other markets, including in Asia.
The restriction is expected to come up during Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva’s state visit to the Philippines, which is scheduled for this week at the invitation of Philippine President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. Lula will also attend the ASEAN Summit, hosted by the country. The two governments are expected to discuss ways to expand bilateral trade.
The agenda is also expected to include renewal of Brazil’s sanitary inspection system equivalence certificate, which expires in February 2027. The certification allows Brazil to export certain animal products to the Philippines. Although the pork suspension was not initially on the agenda for Lula or Brazilian officials traveling with him, the two countries are also expected to discuss it. Lula is scheduled to leave for the Philippines on Nov. 12 after a stop at COP 31 in Turkey.
