The National Dairy Authority (NDA) of Philippines has reported that the imports of milk and cream from abroad decreased 5.4% to 405,930 tons for the first quarter of 2013.
The decline in imports was primarily due to increase in domestic production which comes from an estimated 19,828 dairy animals.
For the period, the overall dairy products imports declined 7.12% to 452,800 tons valued at PHP7.45bn which includes cost, insurance and freight.
Among milk and cream products imported, skim milk powder stood at the highest volume with 207,900 tons.
The Philippines also imported wholemilk powder, buttermilk powder, whey powder, ready-to-drink liquid milk, evaporated milk, cream and condensed milk.
The major suppliers for the quarter include New Zealand, which accounted for 49%, followed by the US at 23%, Australia at 10% and France at 2%.
The country exported about 1,070 tons of dairy products valued at $127.3m during the period.
