Philippines canned meat costs may increase on Brazil poultry ban

[MANILA] A ban imposed by the Philippines on poultry products from Brazil, the nation's second-biggest source of mechanically-deboned meat, could boost prices of some canned products by up to 14 per cent, according to an industry group.

Brazil accounts for 20 per cent to 25 per cent of imported mechanically-deboned meat used for canned products, Rex Agarrado, spokesman for the Philippine Association of Meat Processors Inc., said in a statement.

Brazil's agriculture ministry said Manila's decision was "disproportionate." The Philippines decision follows a statement from China that surface samples of chicken wings from the Latin American country had tested positive for coronavirus.

Poultry products from the US and Europe cost at least 30 per cent more than Brazil's, the association said. After the ban, the inventory of mechanically-deboned meat likely dropped to 15 to 30 days from as long as 45 days on Aug 14. it said.

The Philippines separately barred chicken imports from Australia on concerns over bird flu.

BLOOMBERG