The Department of Agriculture (DA) on Wednesday assured consumers that pork supply will remain sufficient for the Christmas season, despite a temporary ban on pig and pork imports from Spain following a confirmed outbreak of African Swine Fever (ASF) in the European country.
Agriculture Secretary Francisco P. Tiu Laurel Jr. said the import freeze, which covers live pigs, pork meat, pork skin, and even semen for artificial insemination, will not affect prices or availability.
“Cold storage is full,” he told reporters, adding that current inventories are more than enough to meet heightened holiday demand.
The ban follows a November 28 report by Spain’s veterinary authorities to the World Organization for Animal Health, confirming ASF cases among wild pigs in Sabadel, Valles Occidental, Barcelona.
Tiu Laurel stressed that the moratorium is crucial to “prevent the entry of the ASF virus and protect the health of local and wild pigs,” while ensuring food security and public health.
All sanitary and phytosanitary permits for hog imports from Spain have been automatically revoked.
Only frozen pork products produced on or before November 11 and loaded, in transit, or accepted at port by December 4, 2025, will be allowed entry into the Philippines.
Shipments produced after November 11 will be returned to Spain.
