Poultry export to S. Korea resumes

From 140,000 metric tons (MT). chicken Importation by South Korea is projected to increase to 145,000 MT this year due to increasing demand. #poultryexport

MANILA — South Korean authorities are set to inspect new poultry manufacturing facilities in the Philippines for accreditation as chicken exports to the Asian neighbor resumes.

Agriculture Secretary William Dar and officials from the Korean Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs announced the inspection on Monday during a meeting.

The accreditation comes more than two months after the lifting of the ban on the import of poultry and pet birds from the Philippines on 4 July 2019.

Dar thanked the Korean government for lifting the suspension of Philippine chicken meat to South Korea and wished for the earliest dispatch of the on-site inspection team.

“We are hoping to increase the volume of export of poultry products to South Korea,” he said Wednesday in a statement.

Three new poultry manufacturing facilities in Davao City, Batangas and La Union have confirmed readiness for inspection and interest to apply accreditation as chicken meat exporters to South Korea this year.

South Korea’s chicken imports in 2018 reached 140,000 metric tons (MT). Importation is projected to increase to 145,000 MT this year due to increasing demand for processed chicken products and the cheaper price for imports compared to domestic chicken.