June 30, 2008

Philippine hog raisers belonging to the National Federation of Hog Farmers Inc. (NFHFI) said pork prices at the retail level, despite the aftermath of typhoon Frank, should remain stable as there is no shortage of hogs.

NFHFI president Albert Lim Jr. said any price increase is not warranted as supply is still adequate.

The NFHFI official, however, admitted that backyard raisers in Western Visayas were heavily affected by the storm.

Lim said stakeholders and the Department of Agriculture (DA) have not yet disclosed the exact damages brought about by the storm.

Based on figures from the Bureau of Agricultural Statistics (BAS), an attached agency of the DA, pork liempo sells at an average of P180 per kilogramme in wet markets.

Lim however said the poultry sector may have suffered more damage as they use less sturdy material to house the chicken, unlike commercial raisers who build pig pens using cement.

Meanwhile, Lim said, Singapore traders are set to arrive in the Philippines sometime in August for a trade mission.

Singapore traders are set to inspect the Matutum Meat Packing Plant, the only meat plant accredited by the Singaporean government to export pork.