Daven Tamayo

As pork prices spike, Agri dept eyes imposing maximum suggested retail price

Article (news)

Andrea Taguines

ABS-CBN News

MANILA — After targeting imported rice prices, the Department of Agriculture (DA) said on Tuesday that it is also now considering slapping a Maximum Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) for pork amid a spike in meat prices.During a press conference, DA Spokesperson Arnel De Mesa said pork prices, particularly in some markets in Metro Manila, have reached up to more than P400 or double the prevailing farmgate prices.“Yung farmgate price ng baboy nasa P200-P220. Ang patong dyan, normally, P100, P120. Dapat ang presyo ng baboy sa palengke maximum P350,” he said.“But we’re seeing nga P400-P450/kilo so medyo talagang sabihin nating merong quote unquote pang-abuso rin sa presyo sa pamilihan,” added De Mesa.The DA also insisted that there is no shortage in the supply of pork despite a drop in local hog production last year.“Bagamat naapektuhan tayo ng ASF (African Swine Fever), ang laki rin ng import data natin ng karneng baboy,” said De Mesa.The Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI) recorded 672,000 metric tons of imported pork from January to November 2024, which is higher than the overall volume of pork imports last 2023.An agricultural group welcomed the DA’s planned intervention to curb rising pork prices.But SINAG Executive Director Jayson Cainglet said those who will violate the MSRP should face a heftier punishment.The group recommends the filing of cases against them under the Anti-Economic Agricultural Sabotage Law.“Kasi kung sa Price Act lang, we’re not sure kung gagalaw sila o matatakot. But under the Anti-Agricultural Economic Sabotage Law, these are non-bailable e,” he said.De Mesa said this is one of the options they are looking at.“Kailangan busisiin nang mabuti. Hindi mo pwedeng sabihing ito lang na player. You have to look saan ‘yon, sino-sino sila, at saan nanggagaling yung sobrang pagtaas,” he said.

The Department of Agriculture (DA) said it is also now considering slapping a Maximum Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) for pork amid a spike in meat prices.

The Department of Agriculture (DA) said it is also now considering slapping a Maximum Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) for pork amid a spike in meat prices.