MANILA – The Philippines’ domestic dairy production rose 12 percent in 2025 to a record 43.3 million liters, the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) reported, marking the first time local milk output surpassed the 43-million liter threshold.

The growth, up from 38.6 million liters in 2024, was credited to an expanded dairy herd and improved animal management. The National Dairy Authority (NDA) cited its development programs in animal nutrition, farm management, and herd expansion as key drivers of the increase.

“The substantial growth in dairy output in 2025 was achieved despite the absence of dairy animal importation, demonstrating the effectiveness of the National Dairy Authority’s dairy development programs,” NDA Administrator Marcus Antonius Andaya said.

Carabao milk production surged 24 percent, aided by the Philippine Carabao Center, while cattle milk rose four percentand goat milk jumped 27 percent, supported by NDA programs. The total dairy herd grew five percent, from 154,252 to 161,868 heads, further boosting output.

The increase lifted the country’s dairy self-sufficiency to 2.22 percent, up from 1.66 percent in 2024, bringing the Philippines closer to the NDA’s target of five percent by 2028, though it fell short of the 2025 goal of 2.5 percent.

The NDA plans to meet its self-sufficiency target through herd expansion, improved milk yields, risk reduction, market development, and consumer education. Historically, the Philippines has relied heavily on dairy imports due to insufficient domestic production.