March 20, 2024

Pork prices slightly drop in Dumaguete city, Philippines despite supply shortage

According to an official, the prices of pork in local markets in Dumaguete City on Negros Island, southern Philippines, have seen a slight decrease despite a shortage of live swine in Negros Oriental, Philippine News Agency reported.

Jaymar Vilos, the information officer of the Provincial Veterinary Office (PVO), said that the weekly monitoring on March 15, 2024, indicated minimal price adjustments in pork.

Although two shipments of 285 heads of live swine from Mindanao arrived last week, Vilos noted that the supply was only sufficient for two days' consumption in the capital city.

Vilos expressed hope that the supply situation would improve in the coming days as suppliers have completed the necessary requirements from the PVO for inbound deliveries.

As per reports, the lowest price of pork currently stands at PHP 290 (US$5.16) per kg in Tayasan town, while it reaches PHP 420 (US$7.47) in Dauin and Sibulan towns.

In Dumaguete City, pork prices were reported at PHP 380 (US$6.76) per kg, with other areas ranging between PHP 300 (US$5.33) and PHP 400 (US$7.11) per kg, according to the PVO report.

Last year, pork prices soared to as high as PHP 420 (US$7.47) per kg, attributed to the lack of live swine supply in Negros Oriental due to African swine fever (ASF) concerns.

To address the shortage, Governor of Negros Oriental, Manuel Sagarbarria, has recently lifted the ASF ban, allowing inbound shipments from disease-free areas, provided that all requirements are met.

-      Philippine News Agency