The conference is part of the German Meat Business Mission to the Philippines, conducted under the export promotion programme of the Federal Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Regional Identity (BMLEH) and implemented by GEFA Exportservice GmbH and German Meat GmbH. It brought together German and Philippine stakeholders across the meat value chain to explore opportunities in meat processing, distribution, market access, and business partnerships.
Around 52 stakeholders, including meat importers, traders, processors, and distributors, as well as representatives of the Department of Agriculture, the Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI), and the National Meat Inspection Service (NMIS), took part in market briefings, presentations by the German delegates, and targeted business-to-business (B2B) meetings.
“Successful market entry is not just about good products, it is also about understanding the market and finding the right partners,” says GPCCI Board Director Stefan Kolbe. “Ultimately, the success of this mission will not be measured by the number of meetings we organize, but by the partnerships that come out of them.”
Restored Market Access Opens a New Chapter in German-Philippine Meat Trade
The event also featured His Excellency Dr. Andreas Michael Pfaffernoschke, German Ambassador to the Philippines; Naomi Daur of the Federal Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Regional Identity; Sherwin Choi, President of MITA; Joseph Bryan Defeo of the NMIS Meat Import and Export Division; and Karel Alexander-Eichler, Managing Director of the German Export Association for Food and Agriproducts (GEFA).
Ambassador Pfaffernoschke noted that German pork had been effectively absent from the
Philippine market for six years due to restrictions linked to African swine fever (ASF). Market access was restored this year under a regionalization scheme that allows trade to continue from areas recognized as disease-free, while German beef regained access the year before. He described the decision as a reflection of trust in German and European veterinary controls and in a science-based approach to managing animal health risks. He added that the recent substantial agreement on an EU-Philippines free trade agreement, including improved market access for European meat and more transparent sanitary and phytosanitary rules, makes the mission particularly timely.
“The opportunity is not simply to ship more meat from Germany to the Philippines. It is to find out where German supply can genuinely complement this market,” says German Ambassador Andreas Pfaffernoschke. “Market access opens the door, it does not create business relationships. That part is the part of the companies.”
Naomi Daur of the Federal Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Regional Identity emphasized that the ministry’s export promotion work is meant to support bilateral agriculture trade, helping German and Philippine companies better understand each other’s markets. She noted that the German meat industry offers high-quality food safety, traceability, and modern processing technology, and described the mission as an opportunity to identify potential areas of further cooperation.
Speaking for the local industry, MITA President Sherwin Choi said the meat sector plays an
important role in ensuring a stable, safe, and reliable food supply for Filipino consumers, and that despite continuing challenges, the industry sees opportunities for growth, innovation, and stronger international cooperation. “Germany has long been recognized for its high standards, technology and expertise in the meat industry,” says MITA President Sherwin Choi. “We look forward to learning from one another, exploring new business opportunities and building partnerships that will benefit both our countries.”
Joseph Bryan Defeo of NMIS walked participants through the Philippine meat import inspection system, which covers pre-border, border, and post-border stages, from the accreditation of foreign meat establishments and the licensing of importers to final inspection at NMIS-licensed cold storage warehouses. He noted that the Philippines currently has 486 licensed meat importers and highlighted common compliance issues, such as labeling errors and damaged packaging, along with the steps importers can take to address them.
In his closing remarks, Alexander-Eichler welcomed the reopening of the Philippine market for German pork as the result of extensive cooperation between the authorities and industry of both countries. He expressed hope that the ongoing review of market access for German poultry can progress in the same spirit, through science-based regulation, transparency, and close cooperation between competent authorities, and described the conference not as the conclusion of the visit but as the beginning of new business relationships.
“Our objective is not simply to export more meat. Our objective is to develop a reliable, sustainable and mutually beneficial trade relationship with the Philippines,” says GEFA Managing Director Karel Alexander-Eichler.
Participating German companies include Carne Fleischhandel GmbH, which processes
approximately 30,000 tons of pork heads a year, exports to 17 countries, and can adapt many of its products to buyer specifications. Gebrüder Christ OHG is a Frankfurt-based company that has exported poultry since 1990 and already has experience supplying the Philippines, serving food processors and professional kitchens. OMG Oliver Mielke GmbH is a family-run trading business near Hamburg, active since 1997, that connects German meat producers with professional buyers and puts emphasis on personal, reliable relationships.
WIESENHOF International GmbH markets poultry to international business customers through an integrated supply system that emphasizes food safety, quality, and traceability. ZEMO Gebrüder Moser GmbH is a second-generation family business founded in 1984 that cuts and markets beef from selected young female cattle and has been exporting since 2000.
About the Business Mission
This conference was part of a business delegation to the Philippines from 26–29 October 2026, involving five German companies from the meat and poultry sector. The mission is conducted under the export promotion programme of the Federal Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Regional Identity (BMLEH), implemented by GEFA Exportservice GmbH and German Meat GmbH, and organized in the Philippines by GPCCI.
