Manila: The Department of Agriculture (DA) has introduced a maximum suggested retail price (MSRP) of less than PHP400 for pork, aiming to stabilize prices during the upcoming holiday season. The decision was made public on Friday.
According to Philippines News Agency, the MSRP for pork liempo (belly) is set at PHP370 per kg., while pigue (ham) and kasim (shoulder) are priced at PHP330 per kg. The DA's administrative circular is a result of consultations with hog industry stakeholders across the value chain. DA Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. emphasized the need to maintain reasonable pork prices, which are particularly crucial given the high demand for this protein source among Filipinos during Christmas.
Earlier in November, pork belly prices surged to PHP480 per kg. in some Metro Manila markets, as reported by the DA's Agribusiness Marketing and Assistance Service. Tiu Laurel highlighted the disparity between retail and farm-gate prices, stressing that the latter had recently decreased, thus affecting small and medium-sized hog raisers' profitability.
As per the DA's Bantay Presyo (price watch), the price per kg. of ham in Metro Manila ranged from PHP280 to PHP390, while pork belly prices varied from PHP320 to PHP470. To further support local hog raisers, the DA has set a minimum farm-gate price of PHP210 per kg., aiming to shield them from excessively low purchasing prices.
