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Recent talks held between the UK and the Philippines have resolved trade barriers preventing the export of UK beef and poultry.

Ministers from the UK and the Philippines met in London this week (Monday 17 March) at the inaugural Joint Economic Trade Committee (JETCO), which saw the lifting of a ban on UK beef and poultry exports to the Philippines, both worth a combined £80 million over five years.

The Philippines is one of the fastest-growing economies in Asia and the UK’s fourth-largest export market for pork. Currently, the trade relationship between the UK and the Philippines is worth £2.8 billion annually, with JETCO aiming to upgrade this relationship and allow for more potential sales between the two nations. Ministers also highlighted investment opportunities in the Philippines for UK agricultural companies.

The lifting of the poultry ban was formalised through the Department of Agriculture in September 2024 and was described by the department as a “pivotal moment”. 

Before the barrier, the UK was the sixth-largest source of poultry imports to the Philippines. Beef is now also back on the menu due to the lifting of a temporary ban on beef imports by the Philippine government, which has been welcomed by stakeholders from the beef industry.

The minister for trade policy and economic security, Douglas Alexander and the Philippine undersecretary of the Department of Trade and Industry, Allan B Gepty, agreed to pursue closer cooperation and increased trade across sectors including infrastructure, renewable energy, agriculture and technology.

They also committed to progressing work towards a government-to-government Financing Framework Partnership that will unlock up to £5 billion of potential financing from UK Export Finance to support the delivery of sustainable public infrastructure and improve access to UK expertise and technology in the Philippines.

Alexander said: “The lifting of bans on UK poultry and beef exports is great news for our world-class agricultural industry which can once again sell these products to the Philippines, which has a population of 112 million".

The International Meat Trade Association welcomed the news. In a statement, it said: "We were delighted that last year the Philippines lifted the ban on UK poultry meat, as well as lifting the temporary ban on UK beef. We hope the trade partnership between our countries can continue to grow from strength to strength."