The Board of Investment has recently approved the registration of Sunjin Farm Solutions Corporation, a new player in the production of live hogs, in Bugallon, Pangasinan,

The new venture is seen to increase the supply of pork in the country.

With a project cost totaling P91.49 million, the firm will engage in the breeding, gestation, farrowing, lactation, weaning, and growth of market hogs.

"This project is significant in making up for the losses in pork production because of the Asian Swine Fever. The Sunjin Farm Solution Corporation's project will ultimately contribute to the recovery of the country's local hog industry in the coming years," Trade Undersecretary and BOI Managing Head Ceferino Rodolfo said.

At the national level, the project, with an annual capacity to produce some 1,775 metric tons of live hogs (equivalent to 1,508 MT of pork)– with the annual capacity to produce 1,775 metric tons of live hogs (equivalent to 1,508 MT of pork) – can supply 1.25 percent of the Department of Agriculture's pork supply deficit of 120,889 MT for this year, thus contributing to the overall recovery of the local hog industry.

At the regional level, hog production in the Ilocos Region can spike by 2.93 percent – from 57,660 MT to 59,398 MT – during the first year of the project's operation.

At full capacity, from 2026 and beyond, the firm can annually produce 1,775 MT of live hogs or equivalent to a three percent increase of projected hog production in the region.

DA endorsement

Significantly, the project, which was endorsed by the Department of Agriculture, will jumpstart hog repopulation to be supplied within Ilocos Region and other nearby red zone areas.

With strict biosecurity measures support, Sunjin's hog production operations will be using a semi-conventional type of housing wherein some houses will be installed with curtain winches, cool pads, blower fans, and an automated feeder line.

The project is estimated to increase domestic output by P563.15 million. Notably, the firm will provide awareness seminars to farmers on disease prevention every quarter. Seminar topics will depend on the needs of the community.

In addition, the company will also donate organic fertilizer to rice and palay farmers in the area. This will help farmers save around P100 per kilogram of organic fertilizer.

According to the firm, they will grow their hogs without using antibiotics and hormonal drugs, a practice which is aligned with the World Health Organization's recommendation to reduce the use of these drugs in food-producing animals.

As such, Sunjin aims to minimize the overuse and misuse of antibiotics in animals contributing to the rising threat of antibiotic resistance.

In 2020, the Philippines ranked as the 14th largest pork producer in the world and the second largest producer in Southeast Asia, next to Vietnam.