British Chamber backs 20% pork export rise

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The British Chamber of Commerce Philippines (BCCP) remains optimistic about the UK-Philippine trade relations, highlighting food, agriculture and infrastructure as among the key drivers despite global economic uncertainties.

BCCP Executive Vice Chairman Chris Nelson also welcomed the deliberations being facilitated by the Philippine Department of Agriculture and stakeholders on the Minimum Access Volume (MAV).

In an interview, Nelson cited a report from the UK Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board (AHDB) that British pork exports have increased by up to 20% in January 2026 from the same period last year.

Following the declaration of the Philippines under the state of national energy emergency, which may impact food security and inflationary pressures, with headline inflation recording a 20-month high at 4.1%, the Chamber looks forward to UK agricultural exports, particularly pork, to continue to assist. 

More recently, the Chamber also welcomed the deliberations on the MAV with the DA Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. planning to expand the MAV allocations on imported pork and corn to stabilize retail prices amid increasing shipping costs.

In February and April 2026, Nelson also personally met and officially wrote to the MAV Management Committee such as the Department of Finance (DOF) Revenue Operations Group (ROG)  Undersecretary Rolando Ligon Jr., Department of Science and Technology (DOST) Secretary Dr. Renato U. Solidum Jr., the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) Undersecretary Lani De Leon and other MAV Members following the concerns of non-issuance of MAV since the beginning of the year.

Nelson noted that, “What we look for is to see actions by the government and passing of legislation. What I would like to point out today, which we actually have been advocating for, and was noted by Secretary Laurel, is expanding the minimum access volumes, which will certainly assist in terms of food supply. We have been discussing that for pork. These are the kind of actions that we would look for. And I think it's actually how the conflict in the Middle East weighs heavily in terms of how you look at the outlook, based on the peso and of course, inflation, which has obviously got to a new high of 4.1%.”

The Philippines remains a significant market for the UK in terms of pork exports, being its 2nd largest market in Asia next to China, with pork volume increasing to 20% at 1,135 tonnes in January 2026.

The Chamber also highlighted its work with the AHDB, and the recent engagement with the Philippine Ambassador to the UK Teddy Locsin Jr., noting opportunities with the Philippines being the ASEAN Chair, UK-Philippines Joint Economic and Trade Committee (JETCO) and opportunities following the interest of the country to join the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP).

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