DA flags overpriced pork
(FILE PHOTO) A meat vendor chops a pork belly upon order on 18 August, 2024. The spread of African Swine Fever (ASF) in the Philippines has led to panic among hog raisers, prompting some to sell infected pigs to traders, further worsening the situation. The Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI) has intercepted several trucks carrying pigs from ASF-hit areas, and the Department of Agriculture (DA) suspects that these traders are a major source of the virus's spread. The government is set to start vaccinating pigs soon to control the outbreak, though concerns remain about the limited availability and effectiveness of vaccines. If the situation deteriorates, the government may consider importing pigs to address potential shortages.
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Pork prices in local markets remain high despite the start of Holy Week — when religious practices mandate eating less meat — exceeding the government-mandated suggested retail price (SRP).
According to Department of Agriculture (DA) Assistant Secretary Genevive Guevarra, market prices are still up to P60 higher per kilo than the SRP.
Guevarra conducted a market inspection in coordination with the Department of Trade and Industry to ensure that vendors were complying with the SRP.
Early in March, the DA announced a maximum SRP of P380 per kilo for liempo, P350 per kilo for kasim and pigue, and P300 per kilo for “sabit ulo,” the prices at which traders should sell pork to retailers.
The DA renewed its call to retailers to align their prices with government guidelines, noting that delivery costs for pork products had decreased.
Why prices remain high
Despite government efforts to stabilize food costs, pork prices remain stubbornly high.
Industry experts point to a perfect storm of persistent supply disruptions, soaring production costs, and market inefficiencies that continue to keep pork beyond the reach of many Filipino households.
The African swine fever (ASF) outbreak continues to haunt the country’s pork industry years after it first devastated local hog populations. Data shows a dramatic 75-percent drop in supply from local producers, plummeting from 3,114 metric tons in 2023 to just 753 metric tons in 2024.
The disease not only reduced the swine population but also discouraged many backyard and small-scale hog raisers from reentering the market.
Even as the ASF slowly comes under control, pork producers face a new challenge: feed prices.
Corn, which comprises up to 60 percent of animal feed, remains in short supply and is becoming increasingly expensive due to local production issues and global market volatility.
Since feed costs account for roughly 60 percent of the total cost of raising pigs, the ripple effect on pork prices was inevitable.
Retail prices for pork remain significantly higher than farm gate prices, with discrepancies reaching as much as ₱120 per kilogram. This massive gap suggests potential profiteering along the supply chain. The DA has opened investigations into possible manipulation and is considering the imposition of an SRP to protect consumers.