CHAROEN Pokphand Foods Philippines Corporation (CPF) announced a five-year $1-billion project to boost the country’s hog output.
In a statement, the Department of Agriculture (DA) said the CPF’s expansion plan would help restore the country’s swine population to pre-African swine fever (ASF) levels by 2028
CPF aims to raise its hog production capacity from the current 1.3 million heads to 7 million by 2030. Of this, 4.8 million would be in Luzon, 1 million in the Visayas, and 1.2 million in Mindanao.
Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. said CPF’s expansion aligns with the government’s vision of a zero-kilometer food system.
‘This means producing food where it’s needed and advancing agricultural investment to create jobs and ensure food security,’ Tiu Laurel said.
He also encouraged CPF to consider locating some facilities near major tourist hubs to help ease food costs.
Under the plan, the firm is evaluating nine locations nationwide for agro-industrial complexes, each covering roughly 20 hectares.
The DA said every site will feature feed production and hog processing facilities, with each complex worth about $125 million to build.
Furthermore, feed plants are expected to produce around 10,000 metric tons (MT) per month, which would require corn output from 5,000 hectares.
Since the detection of ASF in 2019, the country’s swine population has plunged to roughly 8 million heads from 13 million.
With this, the DA has launched a series of repopulation measures, including the vaccination against ASF and distribution of breeders to reach the prepandemic hog population within the next three years.
Meanwhile, President Marcos recently signed the Animal Industry Development and Competitiveness Act, which allocates roughly P20 billion annually over the next decade to develop the livestock, poultry, and dairy sectors. Nearly one-fifth of the funding was earmarked for hog repopulation.
The DA noted that CPF’s plan signals a major push for the local pork industry, focusing on enhanced production capacity, farm modernization, and greater support for local pig farmers.
Agriculture officials stressed that the investment would help stabilize supply and increase resilience against future disease outbreaks.
‘The expansion represents a strategic partnership with the private sector to achieve long-term recovery and growth in the hog industry-a crucial pillar of the nation’s food supply and a key driver of rural employment.’