The Department for Business and Trade (DBT) has observed a boost in British meat exports following trade talks between the UK and the Philippines.
Recent talks between the UK and the Philippines have resolved trade barriers preventing the export of UK beef and poultry, as further talks were held in London as part of the Joint Economic and Trade Committee (JETCO).
The Philippines is one of the fastest growing economies in Asia and the UK’s fourth largest export market for pork after the EU, China, and the US. The removal of two key trade barriers on poultry and beef is paving the way for increased sales, with £80 million anticipated over the next five years.
The lifting of the poultry ban was formalised through the Department of Agriculture in September 2024 and was described by the department as a “pivotal moment”, with the UK’s Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) and Department for Business and Trade (DBT) credited as driving forces in resolving the barrier.
Prior to the barrier, the UK was the sixth-largest source of poultry imports to the Philippines. The UK exported an average of 6,000 tons of poultry meat and products to the Philippines each year from 2018 to 2023. Last year the value exported was worth over £300,000.
DBT highlighted that beef is also back on the menu thanks to the lifting of a temporary ban on beef imports by the Philippine Government, which has reportedly been welcomed by stakeholders from the beef industry.
Minister for Trade Policy and Economic Security Douglas Alexander MP and Undersecretary Allan B Gepty will agree to establish closer cooperation on infrastructure projects, renewable energy, agriculture, and technology. The pair will discuss the benefits of collaboration between Defra and the Philippines Department of Agriculture with a view to safeguarding and expanding market access for agri-food exporters.
They are also expected to agree to continue collaboration across issues such as animal disease detection and antimicrobial resistance as well as new opportunities for collaboration on precision breeding and genetics.
“The poultry regionalisation agreement reached with the Philippines has been vital to keeping trade flowing.”
IMTA
Minister for Trade Policy and Economic Security said: “The lifting of bans on UK poultry and beef exports is great news for our world-class agricultural industry, which can once again sell these products to the Philippines, which has a population of 112 million.
“Today’s trade talks are an important new chapter and will deepen our trade with the Philippines, one of Asia’s fastest-growing economies, as we continue this Government’s mission to grow the economy.”
Commenting on the talks, the International Meat Trade Association (IMTA) has stated: “IMTA welcomes the inaugural JETCO between the UK & the Philippines, which will deepen our trading relationship with an important partner. We were delighted that last year the Philippines lifted the ban on UK poultry meat, as well as lifting the temporary ban on UK beef.
“The poultry regionalisation agreement reached with the Philippines has been vital to keeping trade flowing. The Philippines is a key market for UK meat exports, with a variety of products setting sail for Manila.
“We hope the trade partnership between our countries can continue to grow from strength to strength.”
