Philippine dairy imports in the first half rose by 12.64 percent to 1.425 million metric tons in liquid milk equivalent (MMT-LME), from last year’s 1.265 MMT-LME, according to the National Dairy Authority (NDA).
The latest data from the NDA also showed that the value of imports in the January-to-June period expanded by 10.85 percent to P25.098 billion, from P22.641 billion.
“Milk powder constitutes the bulk of imports contributing 52 percent to the total milk and dairy products imports,” the NDA said in its Philippine Dairy Update report published recently.
“Skimmed milk powder comprised 30 percent, whey powder at 11 percent, whole milk powder at 4 percent and buttermilk powder at 7 percent of milk imports,” it added.
Imports of skimmed milk powder rose by nearly 5 percent to 614,940 MT-LME, from 586,330 MT-LME recorded in the January-to-June period of 2017.
Data from the NDA showed that the bulk of the country’s dairy imports came from the United States, which accounted for nearly 30 percent, followed by New Zealand.
Dairy imports from the US during the six-month period reached 426,710 MT-LME, valued at $99.54 million, while those imported from the New Zealand reached 392,600 MT-LME.
A Global Agricultural Information Network (Gain) report earlier noted that cheaper international dairy products would encourage local traders to import more milk this year.
The Gain report prepared by the United States Department of Agriculture Foreign Agricultural Service in Manila projected that the country’s total milk imports this year would rise by 8 percent to 2.7 MMT-LME, from last year’s 2.5 MMT-LME.
Data from the NDA also showed that the country’s milk exports during the January-to-June period grew by 78.63 percent to 37,780 MT-LME, from last year’s 21,150 MT-LME. Total earnings from dairy exports rose by 25.54 percent to $14.99 million, from $11.94 million recorded revenue last year.
“Evaporated milk, ice drops and cream were the big export items during the period. On the other hand, skimmed milk powder, ice cream/ice cream mixes, condensed milk and butter/butterfat recorded decrease in exports,” the NDA said.
“Malaysia and Singapore were the top market of Philippine dairy products, accounting for 23 percent and 20 percent respectively of the entire export value,” it added.