The Department of Agriculture (DA) in the Philippines has recently accredited 34 Indian companies to supply frozen buffalo meat, known as ‘carabeef’, to the country. Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. emphasized that the move is not intended to boost imports but to foster competition among foreign suppliers, which could lead to lower prices for consumers. Laurel highlighted that this increased competition could particularly benefit the cost of corned beef products for Filipinos.
However, due to outbreaks of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) in three Indian states, only 21 of these companies are currently permitted to export carabeef to the Philippines. The affected states are Maharashtra, Telangana, and Bihar, where 13 accredited firms are located. The DA has imposed a temporary ban on importing buffalo meat from these states and suspended the processing and issuance of sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) import clearances.
While the DA is open to considering a heat-treatment method used in Pakistan for buffalo exports to China to address FMD concerns, it will not grant exemptions for heat-treated products under the current accreditation for frozen carabeef. Laurel expressed openness to this method if it proves effective.
Laurel also mentioned that the DA is looking to expand sourcing options beyond India, noting the limited number of plants supplying the Philippines since 2019. The department is actively working on accrediting other countries in South America to diversify sources for pork, chicken, and beef.