Philippines: Dairy and Products Annual

FAS Manila forecasts demand for dairy products to increase 3 percent in 2023, the same percentage of increase as 2022, with a total demand of 3 million metric tons (MT) in liquid milk equivalent (LME). The Philippines imports 99 percent of its dairy requirement, as domestic production cannot meet demand. Following demand increases, dairy imports will recover in 2023 as the economy improves, most of the population is vaccinated, and customers return to restaurants. In 2023, Post forecasts skim milk powder imports to reach 230,000 MT, 5 percent higher than the previous year, while fluid milk imports rise 3 percent to 118,000 MT over the same period. Cheese imports in 2023 are expected to recover, increasing 4 percent to 50,000 MT. Meanwhile, the National Dairy Authority (NDA) will continue to implement the U.S. PL480-funded dairy improvement program, importing animals to boost cow, water buffalo, and goat milk production.