Supplied from ACMC subsidiary – ACMC Philippines – the gilts are being used to supply CP’s contract finisher farms. The deal was confirmed following rigorous scrutiny and a visit by CP Philippines’ president Attapol Boonsith to the breeding company’s Wellisa Farms nucleus unit. This is sited on the remote island of Bantayan in Cebu Province.

Biosecurity and the link to ACMC’s UK genetic programme was a big factor, said Dr Danny Silbor, managing director of ACMC’s Philippines operation. The farm maintains one combined nucleus and multiplication unit in Mojon village and a second multiplication unit at a separate location on the island.

They have a combined total of 1,000 genetically-improved sows supplying its internal breeding requirements as well as outside commercial operations.

The interests of Charoen Pokphand’s parent company, CP Foods, span pig, broiler, egg and duck production as well as aquaculture and feed manufacturing. The vertically-integrated business is also involved in meat and food preparation and retailing.

With a population of 100 million people and a fast-growing economy, the Philippines’ pork consumption is increasing. It is already the dominant meat, accounting for over 60 per cent of total livestock production.