DA: Pork prices to decline starting mid-March

MANILA – The retail prices of pork may start to drop in the middle of March, the Department of Agriculture (DA) said on Wednesday.

In an interview, DA spokesperson Assistant Secretary Arnel de Mesa said the high prices of as much as PHP480 per kilogram in February could be considered the peak price before it gradually eases.

“We can see na bababa. Iyong last na agreement ng pag-uusap ng agri stakeholders sa hog industry na dapat bumaba ang presyo (The last agreement upon the meeting with agricultural stakeholders of the hog industry include the drop of prices),” he said.

Even without setting the maximum suggested retail price (MSRP) for pork, De Mesa said prices should drop by at least PHP10 to PHP20.

As of March 4, the prevailing price of pork liempo (belly) in Metro Manila is set at PHP450/kg; while PHP380/kg for pork kasim (ham), according to the DA Bantay Presyo.

“Mayroon nang nakikita na pagbaba. Actually, una sa farmgate natin, tumaas iyan ng (We are seeing a price decline. Actually, in our farmgate prices first, it went up to) PHP250 to PHP260/kg. Now we are seeing PHP220, PHP230. Ang maximum siguro natin (the maximum would be) PHP240,” De Mesa said.

Besides a decline in farmgate prices, he said “biyaheros” or those behind the logistics and transport layers agreed to help drop prices in the retail side through adjustments in their profit margins.

Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. earlier said they will come up with a final MSRP for pork on March 7 and implement it on March 10.

Like the MSRP for rice, the pork MSRP aims to tame spiking retail prices in the local markets.

Initial figures being considered are PHP380/kg for pork liempo; and PHP350/kg to PHP360/kg for pork kasim and pigue.

The DA, meanwhile, is scheduled to meet with the pork industry players, including traders and retailers, for the finalization of the pork MSRP on March 6. — Stephanie Sevillano (PNA)