DA okays meat exports from Taiwan, Thailand

MANILA, Philippines — Taiwan and Thailand are the newest additions to the expanding list of meat exporters to the Philippines, which seeks to further diversify its sources to stabilize prices and supply.

In Department Order Nos. 7 and 8, the Department of Agriculture (DA) accredited from March 12 this year up to March 12, 2028, four foreign meat establishments (FMEs) from Taiwan and two from Thailand.

The Taiwanese FMEs secured the approval of the DA to expand their meat offerings to include pork offal and skin, while the new suppliers from Thailand will export chicken and duck.

Six FMEs from Taiwan were earlier accredited to deliver pork cuts to the country.

Based on the department orders, the FMEs were authorized to export meat to the Philippines after DA personnel conducted a thorough evaluation and found them compliant with local and international food safety standards, as well as local meat inspection systems procedures.

The DA inspection missions, which were conducted in Taiwan in November and in Thailand the following month, were done to ensure that inbound meat shipments do not pose a threat to consumers and the local livestock and poultry industry.

These were also conducted to protect the country’s borders from the entry and spread of animal and food-borne diseases that might affect the farm sector.

More partners possible

Agriculture Undersecretary Constante Palabrica said last month that the DA would accredit eight countries, including Paraguay, Thailand, Taiwan and Chile to ensure a stable meat supply amid the continued proliferation of avian influenza and African swine fever (ASF) cases in the Philippines.

Palabrica told reporters that Paraguay and Chile were capable of exporting all types of meat to the country, saying that granting more accreditations would boost competition and “get the best quality meat for our people at a reasonable price.”

He clarified that the move was a temporary solution as the domestic hog sector recovers from ASF, which he said would take about three years.

“Well, the more, the merrier for me because there will be a competition of supply. Because when I limit [our sources], we cannot get the best one,” he said.

(2025/06/03-02:15)