The Philippines has officially approved six Portuguese meat establishments to export pork to the country, marking a significant expansion of EU-ASEAN trade relations. The authorisation, granted by the Philippine Department of Agriculture (DA), will take effect on February 6, 2025, and remain valid for three years.
The decision follows a thorough assessment conducted by Philippine inspectors in October 2024, which verified compliance with World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) standards and Philippine food safety regulations.
This development strengthens trade ties between Portugal and the Philippines while diversifying the Southeast Asian nation’s pork supply sources. The authorisation aligns with the ASEAN Harmonized Tariff Nomenclature (AHTN) and is governed by Philippine laws, including the Food Safety Act of 2013 and the Meat Inspection Code.
With the Bureau of Animal Industry overseeing imports, Portuguese exporters will coordinate with Philippine veterinary authorities before shipping.
The move reflects growing agricultural trade between the EU and ASEAN, with Portugal now joining other approved pork-exporting nations to the Philippine market. Industry stakeholders anticipate increased market access opportunities under the established compliance framework.
