Philippines: First U.S. Commercial Shipment of Beef Embryos

On April 5, 2021, the first U.S. commercial beef cattle embryo shipment (valued at $28,000) arrived in the Philippines. Juliana's Cattle Farm, owned by Mr. Rolando Lagaya and located in Batangas, purchased 93 straws to improve their herd genetics and increase beef production. The sale resulted from efforts by U.S. Livestock Genetics Export with USDA Market Access Program funding, including a reverse trade mission for Philippine buyers led by the Kansas Department of Agriculture. According to the trader that facilitated the transaction, they expect additional shipments of 100 to 200 straws of frozen beef embryos within the next 12 months. This sale follows USDA/APHIS finalizing a health protocol in May 2020 with the Philippine government for the importation of U.S. bovine embryos.