The Department of Agriculture (DA) ruled out imposing a suggested retail price (SRP) on local pork as supply remains tight due to African swine fever (ASF). Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. said the focus will be on offering cheaper alternatives through government markets like Kadiwa ng Pangulo, rather than capping prices on struggling local producers.
As of June 13, retail prices of local pork remain high: Kasim at ₱350–₱430/kg and Liempo at ₱380–₱490/kg. Meanwhile, the DA plans to impose an SRP on frozen imported pork after uncovering traders passing them off as local meat. The SRP will reflect added refrigeration costs, expected to raise prices by ₱5 to ₱10 per kilo, with kasim estimated at ₱270–₱300/kg and liempo at ₱300–₱350/kg.
The move aims to balance food safety, affordability, and fairness in pork pricing while the local hog industry recovers from ASF, a highly contagious viral disease that affects pigs but poses no risk to humans. | via Dann Miranda | Photo via PNA
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