March 20, 2024

Farmers' group seeks pork price ceiling in Philippines as retail costs rise

Farmers' group Philippine Chamber of Agriculture and Food is pushing for the imposition of a price ceiling for pork amid the continued spike in its retail cost, reaching as high as ₱420 (US$7.55) per kilo in some places.

Danilo Fausto, the group's president, noted that the farmgate price of pork ranged only between ₱140 (US$2.52) and ₱160 (US$2.88) per kilo.

"A temporary price ceiling should be done. The SRP (suggested retail price) is only the suggested price, while (a violation of the) price ceiling has an imprisonment clause," Fausto said. "The ₱420 (per kilo) is too much. It (retail price of pork belly) should be ₱300 (US$5.39), the most is ₱340 (US$6.11; per kilo)."

Based on monitoring of the Department of Agriculture in Metro Manila markets, pork shoulder is sold as high as ₱370 (US$6.65) per kilo and pork belly as high as ₱420 (US$7.55) per kilo.

Additionally, according to Fausto, the population of backyard piggery in the Philippines will decrease to 30% from the current 60% amid the continued spread of African swine fever (ASF).

"It will be replaced by bigger commercial farms that can afford biosecurity measures with or without ASF," he said.

- Phistar