Ban on Korean pork products lifted

THE Department of Agriculture (DA), through Memorandum Order (MO) 23, has lifted the temporary ban on the importation of processed pork products from South Korea.

The ban, imposed through the DA's MO 26 in 2019, was intended to protect the Philippines' local livestock from the African swine fever (ASF), following outbreaks of the highly contagious viral disease in other countries.

According to the DA, the decision to lift the ban came after a comprehensive risk assessment and scientific validation of South Korea's safety protocols against African swine fever (ASF).

Released on April 8, 2025, results of the recent Import Risk Analysis (IRA) showed that sterilized pork products for export from South Korea have satisfied the requirements of the World Organization for Animal Health and are considered a "safe commodity."

The IRA also highlighted the imported products' secure packaging and shelf stability, as well as South Korea's strong veterinary supervision and ASF control mechanisms.

With these guarantees in place, the DA said sterilized pork products are now allowed for importation under current Philippine legislation.

Under the new memorandum signed by Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr., allowed entry into the country are pork products that have undergone high-level heat treatment — either an Fo value of 3 or above in hermetically sealed containers, or heating for 30 minutes at a minimum temperature of 70 degrees Celsius.

As a result of this new policy, consumers in the Philippines are expected to have access to more pork products from South Korea. Additionally, it might signal a possible "thaw" in the two countries' agri-trade relations.