June 4, 2024

Philippines' Department of Agriculture conducts trade checks in Quezon city, Manila

The Philippines' Department of Agriculture (DA) conducted trade checks to ensure availability of safe and affordable meat in three supermarkets in Quezon city, Manila, Philippine News Agency reported.

Deogracias Victor Savellano, DA Undersecretary for Livestock, said the checks showed that consumers have options amid the increase in meat prices, with the highest reaching PHP 420 per kg for pork belly.

The lowest prices in the supermarkets checked were PHP 345 per kg for grilled pork belly, PHP 263 per kg for pork shoulder, and PHP 160 per kg for chicken.

Arnel De Mesa, DA Assistant Secretary, said the rising prices were due to African swine fever (ASF), but added that the retail price should not reach PHP 420 per kg.

North Star Meat Merchants, a local supermarket meat supply concessionaire, said that it will work with the DA to sustain the availability of cheaper meat to the public. The company supplies meat to 1,500 Alfamart stores, more than 200 SM supermarkets, and more than 50 Waltermart outlets in Luzon.

Savellano said the DA will investigate other solutions and hold discussions with the feed industry to lower input costs for the livestock sector.

The DA will also explore boosting local production to reduce imports and increase production of ingredients for feeds.

The DA is collaborating with the Food and Drug Administration to secure approval for an ASF vaccine, particularly from Vietnam and the US.

-      Philippine News Agency