The USDA-FAS projects a 10% growth in the Philippines’ dairy output for 2024, reaching 32,000 metric tons due to a growing dairy herd and government support. Despite improvements, local production still supplies only 20% of milk demand, with the rest met by imports.
The United States Department of Agriculture-Foreign Agricultural Service (USDA-FAS) in Manila has projected a 10% growth in the Philippines’ dairy output for 2024. This forecast estimates the country’s annual dairy production will reach 32,000 metric tons (MT), up from last year’s 28,860 MT. This increase is attributed to a growing dairy herd, with over 34,000 dairy animals across the nation.
The National Dairy Authority (NDA), a government agency responsible for advancing the Philippines’ dairy sector, has focused on increasing livestock numbers, including dairy goats, which are increasingly being imported to support the livelihood of small farmers. Additionally, the agency reported a recovery in the dairy cattle herd following a decline in 2023 due to the replacement of aging animals and culling of cows for meat.
The USDA report anticipates continued growth in 2025, with output expected to reach 33,000 MT as the Philippine government expands its dairy development initiatives. In previous years, dairy production growth was constrained due to limited funding and minimal private sector investment, according to the report.
Despite these improvements, local production only meets around 20% of the Philippines’ ready-to-drink milk needs, with the remaining 80% reliant on imports. This translates to one glass out of every five glasses of milk consumed in the country coming from local sources.
The USDA-FAS also highlighted the production challenges faced by the Philippine dairy industry, noting that daily milk output per cow averages 10 liters, compared to 30 liters in countries such as the United States. Buffalo and goat milk production in the Philippines are also modest, at 4.5 liters and 1.5 liters per day, respectively.
As the Philippines strives for greater self-sufficiency in dairy, the USDA report underscores the importance of sustained investment and development efforts in the sector to boost local milk supply and reduce dependency on imports.
