The prices of pork products such as “kasim” and “liempo” cuts have gone above the suggested retail price (SRP) in some markets in Metro Manila. The SRP per kilogram of kasim is Php 190.00 but is priced from Php 220.00 to Php 240.00 in Muῆoz Market, and from Php 230.00 to Php 240.00 in Mega Q Mart.
For a kilogram of liempo, the SRP is Php 225.00 but this pork cut is sold from Php 240.00 to Php 280.00 in Muῆoz Market and from Php 260.00 to Php 280.00 in Mega Q Mart.
The Samahan ng Industriya at Agrikultura (SINAG) said the cost of pork in Luzon has increased as hog raisers cannot meet the demand. Only 70 percent can be supplied to Metro Manila by hog raisers in Luzon due to the cutdown brought about by the threat of the African Swine Fever.
The Bureau of Animal Industry disclosed the ASF case in the country declined by 69 percent.
“Kung medyo tight ang stock, baka papantay tayo doon sa presyo ng China na umaabot ng Php300/kg ang presyo ng retail price [ng baboy] (If the stock is tight, we may level with the pricing of China at Php300/kg for the retail price of pork),” SINAG Chairman Rosedo So said.
Despite the reported lack of supply on pork, there are currently 89 million kilos of frozen inventory of chicken in the country. The United Broilers Association has already appealed to temporarily stop importation of the said products.
