Piñol: PH biggest meat importer to source supply from Cotabato farmers

Former Agriculture Secretary Manny Piñol revealed that the country's biggest meat importing company will buy part of its requirements of beef, chevon or goat meat, chicken, and pork from Mindanao farmers starting this year.

On May 21, 2025, Piñol confirmed through his Facebook post the agreement between Gabriel J. Ang, president and chief executive officer of Atkins Import & Export Resources, Inc., Great Arch Farm owned by cattle fattening expert and outstanding overseas Filipino worker Arnel Corpuz, and Braveheart Farms for the supply of fattened cattle.

He also revealed that Braveheart Farms is owned by the Piñol family.

The cattle will initially be sourced locally, but as the demand grows, steers will be imported from Australia to fill the requirements, while local farmers will be supported in cattle production through a private sector-led program.

"During our final meeting yesterday (May 20), Gabriel Ang, who is listed as one of the biggest meat importers in the country, said he will start with a supply requirement of at least 1,000 heads of cattle every month," Piñol said.

He added that this will gradually increase as he expands their Sorghum production area for both silage and flaked grains needed in feeding the cattle.

"Eventually, Ang said he will be needing supply of goat meat, chicken, both broiler and free range, and pork," Piñol's post added.

He also claimed that Ang told him that with this development, he doesn't need to import beef anymore, as there is already a local supply.

Piñol, who is also the former Mindanao Development Authority chair, said that Ang was introduced to him during the electoral campaign period by former Agriculture assistant secretary Hansel Didulo. Didulo brought Ang to his farmhouse in Kidapawan City.

"Following our meeting, I brought Ang and his team to the office of Mayor Paolo Evangelista of Kidapawan City, the first LGU that will establish a Halal Beef Production facility," Piñol said.

Piñol revealed that Ang's company could initially procure at least 150 beef carcasses daily, and this would require a cold storage where the carcasses could be stored before shipping them to the market.

"This is a major development for North Cotabato agriculture because cattle raising and fattening require feeds and silage. This means that corn, sorghum, and soybeans farmers of North Cotabato could benefit from the industry," he said.