MANILA, Philippines – Charoen Pokphand Foods Philippines Corp. (CPF) is investing $1 billion over five years to scale up its hog production and help restore local swine production to pre-African swine fever (ASF) levels by 2028.
In a statement on Thursday, the Department of Agriculture (DA) said the local business of Thai conglomerate Charoen Pokphand Foods PLC unveiled its plan to raise its hog production capacity to 7 million head by 2030 from the current 1.3 million.
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Of the total, 4.8 million will be in Luzon, 1 million in the Visayas and 1.2 million in Mindanao.
Vaccination
The DA said CPF’s expansion plan would help the agency achieve its target of restoring the domestic hog population to pre-ASF levels within the next three years, which involves vaccination and the distribution of breeders.
Citing government data, the DA said the population has declined to about 8 million head from 13 million in 2019, when the first case of ASF was reported.
CPF is also considering nine locations nationwide for agro-industrial complexes, with each spanning roughly 20 hectares.
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Each site will feature feed production and hog processing facilities.
The DA said feed plants were expected to produce around 10,000 tons per month, which would require corn output from 5,000 hectares.
Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. encouraged the company to consider constructing some facilities near major tourist hubs to alleviate food costs.
“This CPF expansion aligns perfectly with President Marcos Jr.’s vision of a zero-kilometer food system—producing food where it’s needed—and advancing agricultural investment to create jobs and ensure food security,” Tiu Laurel said.
Meat imports
CPF announced its significant investment as the country’s meat imports rose by 13.5 percent to 1.18 billion kilograms (kg) in the January to September period from 1.04 billion kg a year prior, data from the Bureau of Animal Industry showed.
As in the past reporting periods, pork cornered 53.4 percent of the total with 632.99 million kg. It reflects a 22.2-percent increase.
Chicken came next with 368.08 million kg, 6.4 percent higher. It captured a market share of 31.1 percent.
Beef, meanwhile, went up by 4.3 percent to 150.15 million kg, equivalent to 12.7 percent.
Brazil is still the country’s leading meat supplier with 39.1 percent, followed by the United States (16.4 percent) and Spain (11.1 percent).
ASF-free zones
The DA recently issued Administrative Circular No. 12, recognizing ASF-free zones within accredited exporting countries, seeking to ensure the safe importation of swine and pork products while protecting the country from ASF.
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This means an accredited exporting country may apply for an ASF regionalization, allowing imports from areas free of ASF within their jurisdiction. The accord is valid for two years, subject to regular evaluation.
The applicant country needs to submit an official request addressed to the chief veterinary officer of the Philippines, along with documents and reports, including detailed reports on ASF surveillance, control measures and boundaries of ASF-free regions.