Mindanao-raised Wagyu cattle can now compete with the world’s best beef, according to former Agriculture Secretary Emmanuel “Manny” Piñol and Japanese Chef Alex Sebastian.
In a discussion on Tuesday, October 7, Piñol said locally grown Wagyu and Angus cattle in Mindanao are now at par with premium beef imported from Japan and Australia.
He highlighted the success of farms like the Umalag Wagyu Ranch in Libona, Bukidnon, owned by Ramcar Corp., which currently maintains around 3,000 heads of Wagyu cattle.
Chef Sebastian, owner of Robata restaurant, noted that imported Wagyu and Angus beef sells for ₱3,500 to ₱7,000 per kilo in the Philippines, with demand rising among steak lovers.
Piñol urged Filipino cattle farmers to seize the opportunity to develop high-quality beef locally, saying that premium steak cuts alone can generate substantial income while other parts of the cattle can still be sold at good prices.
He also shared that he and Nutritionist and Outstanding OFW Arnel Corpuz are developing a herd composed of pure Wagyu and a hybrid breed of half-Brahman, half-Wagyu, dubbed “Bragyu,” to further enhance local beef production.
