February 13, 2004

Philippines Claims Pork Supply Sufficient

The Philippines Agriculture Secretary Luisito Lorenzo on Friday gave assurances on the abundant pork supply in the country.

"As far as we know, the supply is sufficient," Lorenzo said.

Lorenzo stressed that the country is implementing an import ban on pork because of threats of foot and mouth disease from imported meat. He added that pork supply solely depends on the production of local hog raisers.

In some Metro Manila markets, a kilo of pork has gone up from P130 to P140.

Meanwhile, the Philippine Association of Hog Raisers Incorporated (PAHRI), confirmed that pork supply has been affected by the high price of hog feeds.

Soledad Agbayani, PAHRI president, said the high price of corn and soybean, the principal ingredients of feeds, has made it difficult for hog raisers to keep up with the high price of production.