Goat breeding to the Philippines

Trends and opportunities

The market

According to the Bureau of Agricultural Statistics, in 2004 the total goat population in the Philippines was 3.4 million and the slaughter rate was 1.9 million. These figures represent backyard and commercial farms.  

The Department of Agriculture through its attached agency the Livestock Development Council is working with local breeders to supplement and improve local stock.

Australia is a known supplier of boer goats in the Philippines due to quality, price competitiveness, adaptability, quarantine status and proximity in terms of lead time. Pure-breds and cross-breds are preferred.

Opportunities

Opportunity areas in the Philippines goat industry include:

• boer goats for breeding
• dairy goats
• training and education
• embryo transfer and artificial insemination

The demand for dairy goats includes the more commonly sourced breeds of Anglo-Nubian, Saanen and Toggenburg. Anglo-Nubians though are the popular breed due to adaptability to the tropical setting.

Local breeders are keen to improve local stock and are also interested to learn artificial insemination, goat management and embryo transfer for the longer-term development of the industry.

Marketing your products and services

Market entry

Australian breeders and exporters should be aware of the following when exporting to the Philippines:

• Importation is done by individual importers who consolidate orders for local breeders. They prefer animals coming from two or three farms to have different blood lines. When negotiations are finalised on volume and prices, importers usually prefer to schedule visits to Australia to select the animals.
• Due to costs, pure-bred and cross-bred boers are more in demand than full-blood boers. Average age is 8 to 18 months old with weight of 30-35 kilograms. Only a few would source animals weighing 50 kilograms and above.
• Sourcing of dairy goats due to their distinctive breeding season and availability of supply comprise a minority of the whole importation. Average age is 12 to 18 months old.

Transport

Shipment via air would be the most viable option to transport the animals to Luzon or the Visayas/Mindanao area. Transhipment is not allowed from Luzon to the VisMin as the latter is a foot and mouth disease free zone.

Ship freight has become an option again with the resumption of the cattle trade. Although importers have difficulties in meeting volume requirements to make transport costs economical.

Links and industry contacts

Government, business and trade resources for the Philippines

Livestock Development Council - www.ldc.da.gov.ph 

Contact details

The Australian Trade Commission (Austrade) is the Federal Government agency that helps Australian companies win overseas business for their products and services by reducing the time, cost and risk involved in selecting, entering and developing international markets.

Austrade offers practical advice, market intelligence and ongoing support (including financial) to Australian businesses looking to develop international markets. Austrade also provides advice and guidance on overseas investment and joint venture opportunities, and helps put Australian businesses in contact with potential overseas investors.

A list of Austrade offices (in alphabetical order of country) is available.

More information

For further information please contact Austrade on 13 28 78 or email info@austrade.gov.au

(Last updated: 19 Jul 2007)