September 3, 2024

Philippines' pork farmgate price drops as ASF impacts consumption

The farmgate price of pork in the Philippines has declined as consumers have been deterred by the surge in African swine fever (ASF) cases, farmers said.

"The farmgate price for hogs, unfortunately, dropped by ₱30 (US$0.53) to ₱40 (US$0.71) per kilogramme," Jayson H. Cainglet, executive director of the Samahang Industriya ng Agrikultura, told reporters on the sidelines of a poultry and livestock event. "I hope (this translates) to a drop in market prices."

A kilo of pork kasim (shoulder) was selling for between ₱260 (US$4.61) and ₱370 (US$6.56), while pork liempo (belly) fetched ₱290 (US$5.14) to ₱400 (US$7.09) in Metro Manila markets, according to the Department of Agriculture (DA) price monitors as of August 28.

Cainglet added that hog prices dropped to about ₱160 (US$2.84) to ₱180 (US$3.19) per kilo.

"There are reports that many are avoiding (buying pork)," he said, noting that current supply remains ample.

According to the Bureau of Animal Industry, 15 municipalities had active ASF cases across 32 provinces as of August 21. ASF was first detected in the Philippines in 2019.

- Philippine Star