CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY — A shipment of 1,693 live cattle from Australia arrived at the Port of Cagayan de Oro on the morning of October 18, 2026, as the government continues efforts to expand the country’s dairy cattle population, increase domestic milk production, and reduce dependence on imported dairy products.
The cattle were transported aboard the MV Brahman Express, which arrived at approximately 6 a.m. on Sunday. The shipment is expected to contribute to the expansion of the Philippines’ local dairy industry by increasing the number of dairy cattle available for milk production.
Representatives from the Department of Agriculture (DA), National Dairy Authority (NDA), Bureau of Quarantine, Bureau of Customs (BOC), and Oroport Cargo Handling Services, Inc. were present during the vessel’s arrival to coordinate the unloading and handling of the animals.
The involvement of the agencies was intended to ensure the orderly management of the shipment and proper coordination among the authorities and port stakeholders responsible for handling live animal imports.
The arrival of the cattle is expected to support efforts to strengthen the country’s dairy herd and improve the domestic supply of fresh milk. Expanding the local dairy cattle population can help increase production capacity and support the long-term development of the Philippine dairy sector.
The initiative also aligns with the broader goal of reducing the country’s reliance on imported dairy products by strengthening domestic production. Increasing the availability of locally raised dairy cattle could help provide a more stable foundation for the local milk supply, although the actual impact will depend on the animals’ integration into dairy operations, their productivity, and the capacity of local producers.
The MV Brahman Express has a gross register tonnage of 7,727, an overall length of 133.39 meters, and a deadweight tonnage of 5,612. Australia was the vessel’s last port of call before its arrival in Cagayan de Oro.
The vessel was expected to remain at the port for approximately 24 hours before proceeding to Subic.
The Port Management Office (PMO) Misamis Oriental/Cagayan de Oro said it continues to coordinate with concerned government agencies and port stakeholders to support the proper handling of cargo and maintain efficient port operations.
The arrival underscores the role of Cagayan de Oro as an entry point for agricultural shipments supporting the country’s food and livestock sectors. The successful handling of live animal imports requires coordination among port authorities, customs officials, quarantine personnel, and agricultural agencies to facilitate the movement of livestock while meeting applicable regulatory requirements.
As the country seeks to strengthen its domestic dairy industry, shipments such as this are expected to contribute to efforts to expand local production capacity and improve the availability of locally produced milk.