Browse Data and Analysis

President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has ordered the Department of Agriculture (DA) to further streamline administrative procedures and policies on the importation of agricultural products and remove non-tariff barriers to help ensure food security.

Fueled by a strong snacking culture, the Philippines' $2.6 billion snack food market presents a prime opportunity for U.S. exporters. While imports currently occupy only 15 percent of shelf space, U.S. products account for more than 20 percent of that share.

FAS Manila forecasts marketing year (MY) 2025 raw sugar production of 1.85 million metric tons (MT). With high prices, more farmers have planted sugarcane, but some farms with no irrigation are suffering from the ongoing El Niño, which stunted sugarcane growth and could result in lower yields in MY 2025.

FAS Manila forecasts MY 2024/25 soybean meal imports to reach 3.2 million metric tons (MMT), an increase of 4 percent attributed to the growing feed demand for livestock, poultry, and aquaculture. The projected 3 percent growth in soybean meal equivalent (SME) consumption coincides with the forecasted 3 percent increase in livestock production during the same period.

On February 15, 2024, the Minimum Access Volume (MAV) Management Committee issued an Administrative Circular (AC) that increased the annual MAV or Tariff Rate Quota for chipping potatoes from 30,000 to 60,000 metric tons (MT).

As the Philippines’ economic growth outpaces its neighboring countries, the market presents stronger opportunities this year for U.S. food and beverage ingredients, including wheat, dairy products, poultry, pork, beef, starch products, processed and dried fruits, food preparations, and soy.

Since the start of COVID-19, Philippine consumers have incorporated more fresh fruit into their diet. Global exports of fresh fruits to the Philippines increased 36 percent to $695 million in 2020 and are forecast to grow five percent in 2021.

The Philippine Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) on November 10, 2021 issued Revenue Memorandum Circular No. 112-2021, clarifying that all imported unprocessed fruits and vegetables are exempt from the 12 percent value-added tax.

FY2021 agricultural exports reach record levels.

The Philippines is a regional biotechnology leader, highlighted by its passage in 2021 of Golden Rice for commercial propagation and Bt eggplant for direct use.

On November 4, 2021, the Philippine Department of Agriculture's Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI) and National Meat Inspection Service (NMIS) issued Joint BAI-NMIS Memorandum Circular No. 3.

The Philippines' declining production of lumber and other wood products cannot meet the country’s growing demand for residential, commercial, and public construction projects.