Pork import ban too little too late? Tariff hike sought to protect hog farmers

RALLY. Local hog raisers stage a protest at the Department of Agriculture headquarters in Quezon City on October 23, 2026, demanding that the government support the industry and control pork imports by reinstating tariff controls to help them compete in the market. Jire Carreon/Rappler Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel officially announces a 60-day ban on pork imports after signing the order on Sunday, November 8 The Philippines has imposed a 60-day ban on pork imports to address collapsing farm gate prices, but agricultural groups argue that higher import tariffs are necessary for long-term protection of the local industry. Hog producers are calling for the reinstatement of previous tariff rates of 40% out-quota and 30% in-quota, as current rates are seen as insufficient. Agriculture Secretary Tiu Laurel indicated that the ban could be extended if prices do not improve, and he noted that there is currently an oversupply of pork in the market. This is AI-generated. Read the article for full context. Report any errors. MANILA, Philippines – The Philippines’ recent pork import ban is too little, too late for pork producers and agricultural groups demanding reforms to alleviate a domestic industry suffering from collapsing farm gate prices. What they want is the restoration of higher pork import tariffs which they said would ultimately protect the local industry. Hog producers want to reinstate previous tariff rates of 40% out-quota and 30% in-quota. Current rates are at 25% and 15%, respectively. “[The suspension] should be extended,” said Alyansa Agrikultura chairman Ernesto Ordoñez on Monday, November 9. “It is useless unless the tariffs are changed.” Ordoñez was speaking at a press briefing held at the Department of Agriculture (DA) in Quezon City on Monday, together with other groups and Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. Last October, groups rallied in front of the DA office calling for the import ban and tariff reform. During the presser, Tiu Laurel announced the Philippines’ imposition of a 60-day ban on pork imports, through Department Order 33 that he signed on Sunday, November 8. The DA found that pork imports increased by 41.8% from 2023 to 2025. The gap between imports and domestic production considerably increased, causing farm gate prices to collapse and inflicting serious injury to the local industry. For months, agricultural groups have sounded the alarm on the need for tariff protection. “Lahat ng mga produkto na pino-produce natin dito sa ating bansa ay dapat protektahan,” said Chester Tan of the National Federation of Hog Farmers Inc. “Ito po, ano pong damage na nagawa nila? Hindi lang po sa aming mga commercial hog farmers na medium-scale, small-scale, [pati] iyon pong ating mga kasama na backyard raiser.” (All our local produce should be protected. Who is harmed with the damage they inflicted? Not only commercial hog farmers that are medium-scale, small-scale, but backyard raisers.) After the DA imposed this suspension – which Tiu Laurel said was already in the works since July – stakeholders called on the Tariff Commission to make the necessary changes. The DA chief himself said the reinstatement of tariff rates to the previous 40% out-quota and 30% in-quota is the “ultimate, final solution.” PROTEST. Local hog raisers stage a protest at the Department of Agriculture Headquarters in Quezon City on October 23, 2026, demanding that the government support the industry and control pork imports by reinstating tariff controls to help them compete in the market. A 3-day pig holiday is in effect among local producers to mitigate the effects of rising pork prices in the markets. Photo by Jire Carreon/Rappler 60-day ban can be extended Tiu Laurel assured groups that the ban can be extended if farm gate prices do not improve. “Huwag mag-alala sa 60 days kung kailangan i-extend ‘yan, we have until 140 days na puwedeng paglaruan at pag-aralan,” said Tiu Laurel. (We have 140 days more if we need to extend the 60-day ban.) An increase of P50 in farm gate prices would be a good sign, according to Tiu Laurel. Current farm gate prices range from P140 to P150 per kilo. The Philippines still has pork supply good for 170 days or almost six months, according to the DA. This Christmas season, Tiu Laurel said he does not see any unusual spikes in pork prices. “Hindi dapat tumaas kasi nga tulad ng sinabi ng ating mga kasama or experts ngayon dito, there is an oversupply of pork products in our market,” said Tiu Laurel. (Prices should not increase because as mentioned by our colleagues and experts present here, there is an oversupply of pork products in our market.) – Rappler.com How does this make you feel? Loading