LOCAL swine farmers said on Wednesday that the country's importation of pork reached an all-time high of 710 million kilos in 2022, 300 percent higher than the 180 million kilos recorded in 2020.

'A lot of importers front-loaded their importation as they anticipated that the EO (executive order) on lower tariffs will not be extended. As a result, the total pork imports in 2022 was an all-time high, registering 710 million kilos,' said Edwin Chen, Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry agriculture sub-committee chairman for livestock during the 'Usapang Pagkain' forum organized by the Philippine Chamber of Agriculture and Food Inc.