Chile aims to export up to 8,000 metric tons of pork to the Philippines by 2026, as it seeks to expand its presence in the country’s food market and boost agricultural trade under the proposed Philippines–Chile Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA).
ChilePork president Juan Carlos Domínguez announced the target during the culmination of a three-day Chilean trade mission to the Philippines, held on Oct. 13 to 15. Domínguez noted that pork shipments to the Southeast Asian nation have steadily increased since the market opened in 2020.
“We started with about 300 metric tons in the first year, then 2,000, 5,000, and now 6,000 metric tons this year. For 2026, we hope to reach 8,000 metric tons,” Domínguez said.
The ongoing CEPA negotiations, expected to conclude by the end of the year or early next year, are anticipated to further boost bilateral trade by reducing tariffs and opening wider market access for Chilean agricultural exports.
“Once CEPA is in place, it will not only benefit pork exports but also open opportunities for other Chilean agricultural goods, including fresh fruits, poultry, and processed food products. We believe the Philippines can become one of our most dynamic partners in Southeast Asia,” said Dominguez.
The Philippines–Chile CEPA aims to deepen bilateral economic ties by covering trade in goods, services, investments and agricultural cooperation.
Domínguez said that while Chile cannot match major global suppliers such as the United States, Spain or Brazil in terms of output, it competes through quality, integration and traceability.
“We have only four private companies exporting pork, and each one controls every stage of production – from feed manufacturing to slaughtering and trading. This full integration ensures perfect traceability and the highest food safety standards,” he said.
He noted that Chile’s strict sanitary and quality systems have earned international recognition from markets such as Japan and South Korea.
Tariffs on Chilean pork entering the Philippines range from 20 to 40 percent, depending on the product category. Domínguez said the trade agreement would make Chilean exports more competitive in the local market, benefiting both producers and Filipino consumers.
Chilean exporters in the delegation also expressed interest in promoting fresh fruits—particularly grapes, cherries and apples—alongside poultry and other agricultural products in the Philippines. Around 60 percent of Chile’s pork production is exported, supported by stringent oversight from Chile’s national sanitary authority.
“The potential is huge for both sides. We see the Philippines not just as a buyer, but as a long-term partner in food security and sustainable trade,” Domínguez said.
