A dinner to celebrate the growing meat trade relations between the United Kingdom and the Philippines

AHBD and the British Chamber wanted to mark this end of 2024 with a unique evening to honour the growing connections between Philippines importers and wholesalers and British exporters, to create more exciting opportunities for those willing to grasp them.

On 14 November 2024, British Embassy Manila Political Counsellor Andy Bowes received a total of 60 guests in the warming atmosphere of British Ambassador’s Residence. Among them are the Department of Agriculture represented by the National Meat Inspection Service Office of the Executive Director Dr. Roberto S. Umali, representatives from the Department of Trade and Industry-Export Marketing Bureau and, key importers, retailers, wholesalers and British exporters.

The event celebrated themes of quality, authenticity, and excellence in British meat products. Mr Andy Bowes and Mr Richard Gibson, International Trade Development Manager of AHDB delivered the welcoming remarks in which they emphasized many times how the Philippines meat actors are valuable and estimated partners for the UK beef and pork meat sector.

Representing the British Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board, Richard Gibson said:

“The meat trade is all about people – engaging with contacts in-market and building and maintaining business connections to maximise opportunities in what is the UK’s third-biggest export market for pork”

This gathering was the occasion to present again the products and the UK farm supply in which animal health and welfare are a top priority and chain. The benefits of eating UK beef and pork are a direct result of exemplary on-farm practices demonstrated across the industry. Later in the evening, guests were invited to taste premium British beef and pork, with carving demonstrations showcasing the care in UK farming practices. This moment was highly appreciated by the guests who believe that in an economic and global context where PH consumers value health and quality above everything else, UK meats stand out meeting all these criteria.

This dinner not only strengthened connections but also set the stage for continued collaboration and growth in 2025.

Richard Gibson added: “We look forward to continuing working collaboratively with industry and government to develop these important business relationships and build on the UK pork sector's positive momentum in the Philippines.”

Indeed, this 3rd Philippine-British Meat Trade Mission Year-end Gathering wraps up a year full of successes and opportunities for the meat trade relations between the UK and the PH. Concerning the Philippine-British connections, 2024 has been a year marked by the presence of UK exporters at the WOFEX in Manila but also by an increase of 24% in UK shipments of pork to the Philippines – amounting to a value of over £21.8 million from January to July 2024 – not to mention the recent lifting of the temporary ban on beef which is an exciting opportunity to grasp for meat importers who want to take advantage of the quality of British meat, globally renowned for its premium standards. All of this caps off the sustained efforts of the British Chamber, the AHDB and altogether the British farm supply chain as well as the PH importers who commit themselves to provide the PH with high-quality products.

For more information about UK beef and pork products, connect with Mikaela Josef, Research and Project Officer via email at uksme@britcham.org.ph