March 24, 2008

Philippines pork production to stabilize on mid-year

The Philippine Department of Agriculture (DA) ensured that pork prices would not exceed PHP180 a kilogramme as production is expected to stabilize by the middle of 2008.

Currently, pork prices are hovering around PHP165 (US$3.96) to PHP175 (US$4.20) a kilo in wet and retail markets, according to the Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI).

BAI director Davinio Catbagan said the tight supply was due to the swine diseases outbreak, which affected 20 percent of the country's backyard hog farms.

About 70 percent of the country's hog farmers are backyard raisers.

Catbagan further said that once production stabilizes, the country may start exporting fresh pork to new markets like Singapore.

The DA disclosed that it was preparing to export an initial US$200 million worth of pork to Singapore within the year, as soon as it passes requirements imposed by the country.

In the meantime, Catbangan said, the industry has to prioritize domestic supply.

Last year, the Philippines' hog industry grew 2.7 percent with total production hitting 1.89 million tonnes.