Audio: Red Meat Exports to Philippines Thriving
Published: Jun 03, 2013
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You may download the audio file here
The Philippines has emerged as one of this year’s fastest growing markets for U.S. pork and beef exports. Regulatory issues slowed shipments to this market in 2012, due in part to pressure from the domestic livestock industry to curb imports. But demand has rebounded in a big way, as U.S. pork exports through the first quarter were up 57 percent in volume (11,739 metric tons) from a year ago and surged 44 percent higher in value ($28.1 million). Beef exports were up 27 percent in volume (3,696 metric tons) and 42 percent in value ($16.2 million).
Dan Halstrom, U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF) senior vice president for marketing and communications, explains that protein demand in the Philippines is far outpacing the domestic supply, and the U.S. industry is capitalizing on this opportunity. He says the Philippines has long been a solid customer of U.S. pork and beef for further processing, but is now importing more high-quality muscle cuts to support its growing hotel, restaurant and institutional (HRI) sector. Tourism is driving much of the growth in this sector, especially in popular areas such as Cebu Island and Tagaytay City, which frequently serve as venues for USMEF promotional activities.
TRANSCRIPT:
JOE SCHUELE: In this U.S. Meat Export Federation report, we speak with Dan Halstrom, USMEF senior vice president for marketing and communications, about the surge in exports to the Philippines. Regulatory issues held back shipments to this market in 2012; due in part by pressure from the domestic livestock industry, but demand has rebounded in a big way with first quarter pork exports up 44% in value from a year ago, and beef exports up 42%. And Halstrom says future prospects look even brighter.
DAN HALSTROM: I think some of these barriers, so to speak, are being overcome by the fact that they have significant demand and they have a certain amount of reliance on imports and we’re seeing that this year with our numbers on both beef and pork up over 40% for the first three months of this year. It’s a big further processing market, on pork in particular, and the dynamics are such that they’re not self-sufficient so they’re dependent on imports, so we’re starting to see that market payoff in a big way.
JOE SCHUELE: Much of the meat volume entering this market is for further processing, but Halstrom explains that the Philippines is importing more high quality muscle cuts to support its growing hotel, restaurant, and institutional sector. Tourism is driving much of this growth, especially in popular areas such as Sabu Island and Tagate City. These are venues USMEF often targets for promotional activities.
DAN HALSTROM: Yes, we definitely are, especially on beef. Big tourism capital, a lot of industry, so especially in the urban areas in the Philippines you see a lot of HRI and even some retail demand, as well, but especially HRI demand for the beef products and some pork, as well.
JOE SCHUELE: For more on this and other trade issues, please visit usmef.org. For the U.S. Meat Export Federation, I’m Joe Schuele.
Dan Halstrom, U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF) senior vice president for marketing and communications, explains that protein demand in the Philippines is far outpacing the domestic supply, and the U.S. industry is capitalizing on this opportunity. He says the Philippines has long been a solid customer of U.S. pork and beef for further processing, but is now importing more high-quality muscle cuts to support its growing hotel, restaurant and institutional (HRI) sector. Tourism is driving much of the growth in this sector, especially in popular areas such as Cebu Island and Tagaytay City, which frequently serve as venues for USMEF promotional activities.
TRANSCRIPT:
JOE SCHUELE: In this U.S. Meat Export Federation report, we speak with Dan Halstrom, USMEF senior vice president for marketing and communications, about the surge in exports to the Philippines. Regulatory issues held back shipments to this market in 2012; due in part by pressure from the domestic livestock industry, but demand has rebounded in a big way with first quarter pork exports up 44% in value from a year ago, and beef exports up 42%. And Halstrom says future prospects look even brighter.
DAN HALSTROM: I think some of these barriers, so to speak, are being overcome by the fact that they have significant demand and they have a certain amount of reliance on imports and we’re seeing that this year with our numbers on both beef and pork up over 40% for the first three months of this year. It’s a big further processing market, on pork in particular, and the dynamics are such that they’re not self-sufficient so they’re dependent on imports, so we’re starting to see that market payoff in a big way.
JOE SCHUELE: Much of the meat volume entering this market is for further processing, but Halstrom explains that the Philippines is importing more high quality muscle cuts to support its growing hotel, restaurant, and institutional sector. Tourism is driving much of this growth, especially in popular areas such as Sabu Island and Tagate City. These are venues USMEF often targets for promotional activities.
DAN HALSTROM: Yes, we definitely are, especially on beef. Big tourism capital, a lot of industry, so especially in the urban areas in the Philippines you see a lot of HRI and even some retail demand, as well, but especially HRI demand for the beef products and some pork, as well.
JOE SCHUELE: For more on this and other trade issues, please visit usmef.org. For the U.S. Meat Export Federation, I’m Joe Schuele.