Canada Opposes Philippine Plan to Raise Frozen Pork Jowl Tariff From 10% to 25%

Canada has formally opposed a Philippine proposal to raise the tariff on imported frozen pork jowls from 10 percent to 25 percent, adding an international trade dispute to a domestic debate over pork prices and farm protection.

The Philippine Tariff Commission is investigating a Department of Agriculture request to reclassify frozen pork jowls from edible offal to swine meat, a change that would move the product into a higher tariff category.

The Canadian Embassy submitted its objection to the commission, arguing that the higher duty would raise costs across food manufacturing and processing because imported pork jowls are used in products including luncheon meat and sisig.

Canada supplied about 7 percent of Philippine pork jowl imports between 2023 and 2025, according to figures cited in the Canadian submission. Total Philippine pork jowl imports averaged roughly 130,000 tonnes a year over that period.

The issue is broader than Canada. The British Chamber of Commerce Philippines has also urged clarity on the proposed tariff changes, arguing that higher import costs could add pressure while domestic hog supply remains constrained by African swine fever.

Philippine hog inventory stood at 8.70 million head in the first quarter of 2026, the lowest first quarter level since 1994, according to Philippine Statistics Authority data cited by the chamber.

Supporters of higher tariffs argue that stronger border protection can help domestic hog producers recover from low farmgate prices and disease losses. Importers and foreign suppliers argue that higher duties risk raising processor and consumer costs before local production has fully recovered.

The Tariff Commission process is still under way, so the 25 percent rate is a proposal rather than an implemented tariff. The next stage will depend on the commission's findings and the Philippine government's final decision.