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In 1990 the livestock industry, consisting primarily of cattle, carabao
(water buffalo), hogs, and chickens, accounted for almost 20 percent of
value added in the agricultural sector, up from 12 percent in 1980. Much of
the growth came from the rapid expansion of poultry raising, which had begun
to develop as a commercial industry in the 1960s. Chicken raising accounted
for half of livestock value added in 1990 as compared with a quarter in
1970. Beginning in the late 1980s, commercial hog raisers also attempted to
enter the international market by exporting live hogs to Hong Kong. Although
carabao production increased as a result of an intensified livestock
dispersal program run by the government, the carabao and cattle industries
remained primarily backyard ventures.
In the late 1980s, hogs provided 60 percent of total domestic meat
production; chickens provided 15 percent; and cattle and carabao, about 20
percent. The country was relatively selfsufficient in hog and chicken
production but imported approximately 4,500 tons of beef annually. The
economic difficulties of the 1980s made the lower-priced chicken and carabao
attractive substitutes for higher-priced pork and beef, but carabao raising
remained oriented primarily toward providing work animals. The dairy
industry in the Philippines also was quite small. Liquid milk generally was
not available in the market, and virtually all canned and dry milk was
imported.
Data as of June 1991
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