February 19, 2025

 

Philippines' Department of Agriculture considers sales of cheaper pork to consumers

 

 

The Philippines' Department of Agriculture (DA) is now looking into selling cheaper pork as an alternative option for consumers amid retail price spikes.

 

"Similar to rice where we introduce the Rice for All (RFA), we are also looking into the possibility that DA can also intervene (for the possibility of selling) pork," DA spokesperson Assistant Secretary Arnel de Mesa said in an interview on February 17.

 

De Mesa, however, said the details are yet to be finalised for pork including the target price and location of sale.

 

Pork prices remain high in Metro Manila at ₱380 (US$6.57) per kilogramme to ₱480/kg (US$8.30/kg) for pork liempo (belly) and ₱350 (US$6.06) to ₱420/kg (US$7.27) for pork kasim (ham) as of February 14, according to the DA-Bantay Presyo (price watch).

 

Besides pork, De Mesa said the DA is also studying the sale of more affordable chicken.

 

Additionally, he said the DA is "likely" to come up with the maximum suggested retail price (MSRP) for pork in March following the results of an initial study on spiking pork prices in the country.

 

"Those findings will be discussed and consulted with the stakeholders. Most likely this week, there will be a consultation that will happen," he said.

 

De Mesa is also hopeful that local markets would comply with the MSRP on pork.

 

"That's why we set the MSRP for the compliance. That's why we are also conducting a study first followed by consultations so that everyone is aware of the upcoming measures even before we set MSRP. So the likelihood of compliance is high," he said.

 

Included in the study is the "reasonable" markup or profit margin from farmgate to retail prices across the entire value chain.

 

Earlier, DA Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. said anything above ₱400/kg (US$6.92) for retail pork is considered "unreasonable".
 

- PNA