Pork prices dip, but still above gov’t cap
A meat vendor chops a pork belly upon order on Sunday. The Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI) has intercepted several trucks carrying pigs from African Swine Fever-hit areas, and the Department of Agriculture suspects that these traders are a major source of the virus's spread.
Yummie Dingding
Pork prices in Metro Manila have dropped by P10 per kilo in wet markets, offering consumers slight relief. However, the decrease remains insufficient to meet the government’s newly imposed Maximum Suggested Retail Price (MSRP).
Currently, pork shoulder is priced between P340 and P410 per kilo, while pork belly ranges from P390 to P470 per kilo in Metro Manila wet markets. These prices remain above the Department of Agriculture's (DA) mandated ceiling of P350 to P380 per kilo.
Despite the slight reduction, many vendors are still selling above the MSRP. Agriculture Assistant Secretary Arnel De Mesa stated that the agency will work with law enforcement to monitor and enforce the new pricing policy.
The DA's pricing initiative, effective 10 March, was introduced to address rising pork prices, with some surging to P480 per kilo.
The department plans to review the effectiveness of the MSRP after one month to determine if further adjustments are needed.