DA to study setting maximum SRP on pork amid high market prices

Metro Manila, Philippines - The Department of Agriculture (DA) is studying the possibility of setting a maximum suggested retail price (MSRP) on pork as current high prices in the market may be due to “abuse.”

Agriculture spokesperson Arnel de Mesa said the farmgate price for pork has a range of P200 to P220 but the DA has monitored the selling of the commodity in wet markets at P400 to P450 per kilogram. He said per-kg prices of pork should be at a maximum of P350.

“Ibig sabihin nu’n talagang sobrang laki,” De Mesa told reporters on Tuesday, Jan. 28. “According to industry standards, dapat a little over P100, malaki na ‘yun, eh. Lahat na doon may kita along the whole value chain.”

[Translation: It means it’s a really big mark-up. According to industry standards, it should only be a little over P100, and that’s also considered a huge amount already. There is profit already there along the whole value chain.]

“Sabihin natin, merong quote-unquote pang-abuso rin sa presyo sa pamilihan ng karneng baboy,” De Mesa said of the market price range.

[Translation: Let’s say there is “abuse” in the market prices of pork.]

De Mesa said that while the African Swine Fever continues to affect the hog industry, there was no shortage as imports helped local supply.

As of Monday, pork ham was sold at P330 to P400 per kg in Metro Manila markets, pork belly at P390 to P460, frozen kasim at P230 to P280, and frozen liempo at P280 to P350, based on DA price monitoring.

Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. is set to look at the situation, according to De Mesa, amid efforts to stabilize rice prices that remain “elevated” after the tariff cut on imported rice.

“Isa ‘yan sa pinag-aaralan ngayon: Kung anong pwedeng gawin talaga dun sa MSRP ng baboy. Kung makita na ni Secretary, very effective itong sa bigas, pwede rin mang i-apply sa ibang commodities, especially dun sa susunod, ‘yung baboy,” the DA official said.

[Translation: One of the things being studied is the MSRP on pork. If the Secretary sees the MSRP on rice is very effective, it could also be applied on other commodities, especially pork.]

Part of the investigation would also look into possible violations of the Anti-Agricultural Economic Sabotage Act, De Mesa said.