March 28, 2023

Potential for pork shortage in Philippines due to ongoing ASF infections

A pork shortage in the Philippines is possible due to the spread of African swine fever (ASF), according to projections by the country's Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI).

Earlier this month, at least three barangays in Carcar City, Cebu, were placed under a state of calamity due to reports of ASF.

The estimated losses in Luzon has been estimated at ₱100 billion (US$1.8 million), with a number of farmers deciding to temporarily stop raising hogs and sellers shifting to other meat.

For its part, the Department of Agriculture (DA) said it is looking at measures to mitigate the impact of the ASF on the local industry.

Latest data available from the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) showed that hog production increased by 3.4% in the fourth quarter of the year, but the whole agriculture sector saw a full-year drop in production to mark the third straight year of contraction.

— GMA Integrated News