MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Agriculture (DA) has set a maximum suggested retail price (MSRP) for locally produced pork effective today, Dec. 5, to help ease rising prices on the commodity during the Christmas season.
In a statement on Friday, the DA said it released an administrative circular implementing a price cap of P370 per kilogram for pork liempo. The circular also suggested a price cap of P330 per kg for kasim and pigue.
Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. said the agency determined the MSRP for pork following consultations with meat retailers and other players throughout the pork value chain.
“We have to restore some sanity in the retail price of pork. (It is) a favorite protein source among Filipinos that is in high demand especially during the Christmas season,” Tiu Laurel said.
The DA’s Agribusiness Marketing and Assistance Service reported that retail pork prices have been “spiking to unusually high levels” in recent weeks. Prices of liempo reached as much as P480 per kilo in early November.
“Those prices are absurd given how farm gate prices have fallen recently, threatening the viability of small and medium-sized hog raisers,” Tiu Laurel said.
The DA said the Philippines is assured of sufficient local pork supply this holiday season. INQ
